Saints boss George Burley is confident he can hang on to 17-year-old Gareth Bale in January - and preferred to heap praise on a couple of his other talented youngsters.

Saints boss George Burley is confident he can hang on to 17-year-old Gareth Bale in January - and preferred to heap praise on a couple of his other talented youngsters.

“We might be looking to get a couple of loans in but we're under no pressure to sell any of our key players,” he said. “We've got a good young squad which we're pleased with and we'll take it from there.

“I thought young Andrew Surman was excellent for us on the right of midfield, and Kenwyne Jones is still only 22. There's a good balance here.

“There's a long way to go in the Championship. But that's a good win which consolidates our place in the top six.”

Burley was delighted with his side's display - and their response to going behind.

“I thought we did very well,” he said. “Even at 1-0 down I was still pleased with the way we were playing.

“Robert Earnshaw is a great finisher, but that was their first real chance so I didn't panic.

“Gareth got a great goal. He is so consistent with his free-kicks that everyone was surprised when the previous one skimmed the post.

“I was pleased for Kenwyne to get the winner. He is still only young and in his second full year as a pro here, but he has tremendous attributes and is a colossus in the air.

“It got a bit nervy towards the end, but we battled away. Norwich threw everything forward and Dion Dublin is a real handful, but we managed to get in some good blocks.

“Kelvin Davis made a great save to keep us in front and I was delighted for him. His form has been up and down since he came here, but he is a big character and he showed that today.”