Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has urged Alex McCarthy to maintain the form shown in defeat to Newcastle United.

The goalkeeper was Saints' best player, making a stunning triple save before denying Matt Ritchie from the penalty spot.

And Hasenhuttl wants to see this level of performance week in, week out, for the remainder of the Premier League season.

Saints' manager said: “I think he had some very good games this season but also, like everyone else in the team, some games where he wasn't very consistent.

“We all have to be more consistent.

“But for a goalkeeper, he has a very good body and a lot of talent for getting more consistent.

“That's what he has to work on.

“After the penalty he had a lot of self-confidence and, for the goal, he had no chance to save it, but the rest was perfect."

Questioned whether he thinks McCarthy can return to the England squad, Hasenhuttl said: “When he plays every week like this, yes."