Stoke City striker Peter Crouch set a Premier League record for the number of substitute appearances by a player after coming off of the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday night.

The 36-year-old once again was asked by manager Mark Hughes to make an impact from there rather than the beginning of the match, and he has failed to start any of the Potters' 12 top flight matches this season.

Despite that, the centre-forward has still shown the impact he can make by being their joint-top marksman with three goals, and with his contract due to expire next summer and no new one on the table yet he could be set to leave the Britannia Stadium during the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, under pressure Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino will be looking to strengthen his attacking options in the New Year with his team netting just nine league goals so far this term, and re-signing Crouch – who played for the south coast outfit in the 2004/05 campaign – could prove to be a shrewd move.

Here are three reasons Southampton should re-sign Crouch in January…

Goals

One of Saints' biggest problems right now is their performance in front of goal, and bringing in Crouch – for what could prove to be a nominal fee given his age and contract situation – could boost them in that department.

Despite making the majority of his Premier League appearances for the club since the start of last season from the substitutes' bench, the striker has scored an impressive 10 times in 35 top flight outings, including winners against Southampton in May and September.

With Shane Long without a goal since February, Charlie Austin out of favour under Pellegrino and Gabbiadini struggling as a lone striker, Crouch could be the man to go on the goal trail for the south coast outfit.

Plan B

While Manolo Gabbiadini is usually picked as the lone striker in Mauricio Pellegrino's preferred 4-2-3-1 system because of his finishing abilities, he isn't the strongest in the air and struggles if goal kicks or crosses are aimed at him in the air.

It is a problem that has become a big issue for Saints this season as they seem to favour getting the ball out to the full-backs to cross in, even though they don't really have a centre-forward there that is effectively strong in the air.

With Austin not favoured and Long's record in front of goal poor, signing the 6ft 7in Crouch could help solve the issue they are having.

The 36-year-old has scored the most headers of any player in Premier League history, while according to Squawka he has won 33 of the 43 aerial duels he has faced in the top flight this term.

England motivation

Gareth Southgate has already proven that he is willing to pick players for his England squad based on form, and Crouch will know that if he can play more regularly and score more goals in the second-half of the campaign then he will put himself in contention to go to Russia next summer.

Southgate has shown by recalling Jermain Defoe previously that he isn't afraid to bring back an older player if they are doing well, and if the Three Lions boss is looking for a centre-forward that offers something different option for the 2018 World Cup then Crouch could certainly be a contender.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.