LONDON: Southampton are ready to make an SOS call to former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, reported Daily Star.

The Saints currently sit bottom of the Premier League table after losing four out of four on their return to the top-flight.

And although club chiefs are sympathetic to boss Nigel Adkins over the South Coast side's tough start to the season, they are contemplating immediate action.

Last Saturday's 6-1 capitulation to Arsenal - coupled with the disappointing home loss to Wigan - is likely to have left chairman Nicola Cortese concerned about the Saints' ability to compete this season.

With Benitez keen to return to England, Spanish newspaper AS reported that the St Mary's outfit are considering turning to the 52-year-old.

The former Inter Milan manager has been out of work since being sacked by the Italian side in December 2010.

Benitez recently expressed his surprise that he was not considered for the Liverpool job prior to Brendan Rodgers' appointment this summer.

- mD