Southampton boss Mark Hughes admits Danny Ings' ability has surprised him.

Ings joined Saints last month from Liverpool.

Hughes is a long-time admirer of Ings but confessed even he has been pleasantly surprised by just how good his new recruit is.

He said: “I knew he was a very good football player but actually his technical ability is a level that is probably better than I thought, if that was possible.

“He has come in and impressed me in terms of the way he is able to receive balls, manipulate the ball to create a bit of space, and his understanding of dropping the shoulder to create one or two yards of space to be able to operate in.

“He is good in that regard so a lot of traits that are going to help us, help him, help the team and help his teammates."