Southampton boss Mark Hughes is weighing up a defensive gamble against Chelsea this weekend.

Hughes insists he would have 'no qualms' about handing rookie defender Jan Bednarek his Premier League debut in Saturday's crucial clash with Chelsea.

"We could go like for like in the change, with Jan Bednarek, or we could change things around and put people in different positions," said Hughes.

"I've got options which I'm grateful for, but obviously you want continuity.

"Bednarek's a good young player, he came here for a significant amount of money, and he's played at a good level in Poland, in front of huge crowds.

"So it's not as if he hasn't got experience of operating at high level with pressure to perform.

"Sometimes when young players come through the ranks they don't have that.

"He's only 22, it's his birthday today in fact, but if I make the decision that he's going to be involved, then I've got no qualms with that."