Southampton manager Nathan Jones has earned praise from recent singing James Bree.

The ex-Luton star has moved in to defend Jones after the Saints boss came in for criticism for his methods in recent days.

Bree, an ex-Barnsley product, moved to the Saints soon after Jones was put in charge of the club.

“Knowing the work that I've put in, knowing the performances that I've done over the last couple of years, what I've been producing, I'm confident in myself to know that I should be a Premier League player," Bree tells the Daily Echo.

“The gaffer knows that too and obviously I'm here now and ready to play. It's weird how it works out! Being a Yorkshire boy I thought I'd end up playing closer to home but it's not quite worked out like that."

He added: “I think obviously the last couple years have been really good, playing regular football, I got myself into a situation where I was getting interest from bigger clubs.

“I've worked with the gaffer before, he obviously knew what I was about, and he always said I was Premier League quality. So when I got the phone call from Nathan it was always going to be the right decision."

“The lads have all been super welcoming since I've come in. The atmosphere has actually been really good considering the situation we're all in," Bree continued.

“I think everyone is really confident that with the players we've got here and some of the performances they've put in, we know it can all click and we can get out of this situation. So I think it's been absolutely fine."