Southampton youngster Lloyd Foot knows he's playing at one of the country's best academies.

Foot believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's remarkable breakthrough proves Southampton is the perfect place to be for youngsters.

The 18 year-old defender said: "I'm really good mates with him and stayed in the same room as him last year. So for me it's really surreal seeing one of my best mates progress like this.

"I want to be where he is so it spurs me on a bit. It's great to have him around and nice to see what he's been doing.

"It makes it more real. He's come from where we are and now he's wanted for around £10million so this makes everybody at the club including the players and staff realise what we can achieve.

"It is a big boost for the whole squad."

Foot added: "They want to push youngsters on here so I believe this is the best place to be at my age.

"Gareth Bale was signed by Spurs as a left-back but now he's obviously an attacking player. Basically if you're good enough they want you to succeed here no matter what position you are so I believe I've got a great chance of getting through here.

"Getting a pro deal is going to take a lot more hard work but I've been here a fair while now so I'm looking forward to the decision they'll make around March time.

"I've got a few more months to really crack on and see where we go from there."