Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has explained holding back Lyanco.

The defender arrived in the summer from Torino, but has seen limited action so far.

Comparing Lyanco's situation to Mohammed Salisu last season, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “They were very similar conversations to the one I'm having with Lyanco at the moment.

“He is a long-term project and it always takes time to get adapted to what we are doing. Sali was injured at the beginning, so it took a little bit longer to get his first step in the Premier League.

“But now he has shown he is the defender we want to have. I'm very happy to see how he has developed his game, especially with the ball. We have tried hard to develop his game and this is a better package now."

He continued: “This season, as I said before, it will be very often for players waiting for their chance to play. Suddenly, it comes very quickly because we have a special tactic in our mind about what fits to different players."