---
title: "Mario Lemina eager to play a part under Ralph Hasenhuttl"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2019/04/22/mario-lemina-eager-to-play-a-part-under-ralph-hasenhuttl/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Turk"
section: "News"
published: "2019-04-22T12:24:47Z"
modified: "2019-04-22T12:24:48Z"
---

# Mario Lemina eager to play a part under Ralph Hasenhuttl

Mario Lemina has expressed his eagerness to get back to helping Southampton return to where they should be in the Premier League after a season of battling relegation.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since Southampton’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at St. Mary’s in the final game of 2018, but returned against Newcastle United at the weekend.

Speaking to the [club’s official website](https://southamptonfc.com/news/2019-04-21/mario-lemina-on-return-post-newcastle-vs-southampton-premier-league-201819) after full-time, he expressed how he is itching to help the Saints finish the campaign strongly.

> I was really happy to be part of this game because I have not played since December, which is really frustrating. The manager has come and I only played two games with him. I have seen other players doing well and step up their level. I was on my own trying to come back – now I am back, I will try to help the team get to 40 points. In the end, I am really happy to be back on the team. I need to work really hard to be part of the last four games.

It also finished in a 3-1 loss at St. James’ Park, but Lemina scored a cracking goal which sparked excitement about his return amongst the fanbase.

Hasenhuttl has found a favoured midfield three of Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and James Ward-Prowse, but the former Juventus man is certainly good enough to enter the picture straight away.