Jason St Juste's potential move away from Darlington took a step closer last night when his agent admitted talks are ongoing with Southampton.

His representative, Ian Flanagan, says several clubs are keeping tabs on the 19-year-old though Saints, recently relegated from the Premiership, appear to be favourites to capture his signature.

With his Darlington contract expiring next week manager David Hodgson has been keen to speak the teenage winger but St Juste and Flanagan have proved elusive, ignoring Quakers' attempts to contact them.

But, speaking last night, Flanagan said: "A few clubs have spoken about Jason and Southampton are one of them and we are hoping to have a deal done with him this week.

"He is a very talented young man and has a chance to go very far.

"At this stage in his career it a case of going somewhere where he can be playing games and making an impact.

"The fact Southampton have gone down could actually turn out to be a benefit to him as they may have some changes to the team and will maybe look at putting in some young players.

"It could be a good opportunity for him but we are weighing up his options.

"He's slight but he's quite powerful.

"Jason's got a fantastic left foot and is able to open up defences. I'd like to think in 12 months a lot more people will know about him."

Since making his debut in November St Juste made 15 Darlington appearances and his two goals, both impressive strikes, earned honours at the end of the season presentation night.

Voted Quakers' Young Player of the Season, St Juste's 20-yard right-footed volley at Grimsby was the supporters' Goal of the Season while his strike at Bristol Rovers, preceeded by a dribble from the halfway line during which he bypassed a handful of defenders, was the players' choice.

Read more about the Quakers here.