Ralph backs Saints kids

RALPH HASENHUTTL is ready to look to Southampton’s academy rather than the transfer market to plug gaps in his squad. Southampton, who entertain West Ham this evening, have suffered a big setback with defender Jannik Vestergaard sidelined for a month with a knee injury. Striker Danny Ings and winger Nathan redmond have also suffered muscle problems, which kept them out of the Boxing Day draw at Fulham. the transfer window reopens next week but Hasenhuttl, who had six academy graduates on the bench at Craven

Cottage, said: ‘Sure, we could always have more players with quality, but our budget is not like the budgets of other clubs. ‘We have two options in every position now, most of the time it is an experienced player and a young one — and we don’t want to block the young players too much. We want to develop them. ‘In the last game I brought the young lads in, and they must take the experience against the big teams, they must learn and they have to be patient, but the moment will come when they get more time. ‘We know our history with our academy, we know that we need to force them to play. As a manager, I look at the young players and the club normally like to give them a chance in the Premier League, although it is tough.’ West Ham could have Michail Antonio back. the forward has missed the last five matches with the hamstring injury he picked up against Aston Villa in November. Arthur Masuaku is unavailable after knee surgery.

TV: Southampton v West Ham, LIVE on Amazon Prime, kick-off 6pm.