Jake Hesketh and Harrison Reed came in for praise from the Saints boss.
Southampton manager Claude Puel was impressed with the display of some of his younger players as his side progressed to the fourth round of the EFL Cup, the Daily Echo reports.
One of them found the net in the form of 20-year-old attacking midfielder Jake Hesketh, after Charlie Austin had opened the scoring from the penalty spot.
Puel was not only impressed with Hesketh, who he admits has given him something to think about for the coming games, and also praised the display of Harrison Reed.
The Saints boss is quoted in the Daily Echo, saying: “I know him and it’s a good performance for him, very good second goal, and I am happy for him. He takes his chance and I think he was in the same level like with the under-23s.
“It’s important now to make his performance now as a professional.
“I am happy also with the game of Harry Reed and perhaps all the time it would be as defence of the squad, the academy. It’s always important to improve and develop these young players. All these players give possibilities to give competition.”
It seems to be best possible outcome for both Reed and Hesketh as they have certainly got their manager praising them in public, which suggests that he feels they could put some pressure on one or two of the more established first-team players for upcoming games.
The Saints have another home draw in the next round of the competition when they take on Sunderland next month, and it could well be another opportunity for Southampton’s promising youngsters to impress again, if they do not in the meantime!
Southampton’s Charlie Austin scores their first goal from the penalty spot
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