Southampton boss Hasenhuttl justifies why Mohammed Salisu's debut has been delayed

Southampton manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl has justified why Mohammed Salisu was unused in Saturday's Premier League fixture against Fulham.

First-choice centre-back Jannik Vestergaard, who was left ut due to injury, the German tactican manager had a choice to make between Jack Stephens and the Ghanaian enterprsing defender for the game week 15 away tie.

Salisu, who joined the Premier League side this summer has been awaiting his debut for The Saints.

"For me, it was important [against Fulham] that I brought in a player who knew immediately what he was doing," said Hasenhuttl told Hampshire Live.

"When you have three changes in the team you need to have as much automatism as possible.

"I am sure Salisu could also play well, but it is important not to have too many changes and to keep our shape so that the players know exactly what they're doing and I think we made the right decision.

"It was important too that Jack showed that he could play on the left because I did not want to move Jan back to the left side.

"It was a little bit new for him but he is experienced as had the quality to handle this. He did a good job."

Salisu made Southampton's matchday squad for the first time for a 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month and has since made Hasenhuttl's bench on consecutive occasions.

After sealing his transfer in August, he delayed linking up with The Saints squad for pre-season due to an injury.

He eventually joined practice in the week the Premier League kicked off and it then took him three more months to make his first matchday squad.

The Ghanaian could be handed a debut in January's clash with third-tier side Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.