Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg says he's happy to lead by example this season.

The Dane e disputes the claim that he is a stickler for the rules around the training ground who calls staff and players out if any are transgressed, such as phone usage in the canteen.

Hojbjerg told The Sun: “I'm not a policeman.

“I'm never going to tell people whether to be on the phone or not on the phone.

“But if I see that we are losing a percentage on the pitch, I will 100 per cent stick my head in.

“I never really thought about telling older players what to do. That's why I used to get a slap in the face!

“But if you really know me, you know that I want the best for the team.

“It's 12-15 years of being a top pro and I don't want to miss an opportunity because I was not ready or did not do the right things.

“I have the rest of my life to be fat. But not now because I'm very ambitious and I know I have the qualities to one day play with the best."