Ralph Hasenhuttl has insisted that he still has faith in full-back Yan Valery and has hinted that he could make a return against Chelsea this weekend.

After breaking into the first team last December and continuing to impress, Valery appeared three times this season before being dropped, making way for Cedric Soares, who has continued to impress since his return from Inter MilanDean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Sport

However, with Cedric out injured, Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted that Valery could return to the side against Chelsea this Sunday. The Austrian has also insisted that he maintains his faith in the academy graduate. However, he did admit Valery needed some time away from the first team to improve on his game. As reported by the Daily Echo, Hasenhuttl said:

As you know I really trust in the young players and I gave a lot of young players the chance to play so far and it’s normal that you come maybe then in a situation where you are a little bit struggling and your performance is not the best one.

You can feel he is making a little bit more mistakes in the sessions.

That wasn’t the reason I didn’t pick him against Tottenham. The reason was that we had the chance to change the shape because we know the opponent does it also and we expected something different.

The injury to Cedric gave me the chance to change the shape also because otherwise I would take him on the back four position on the right side.

For him it’s important he trained this week very well and he knows now the moment will come where he comes back on the team.

I don’t want to pick a young player when I feel he is not in the best shape but when I see he is getting better and more comfortable with the ball and making less mistakes I think then is the moment to give him another chance to play.

He knows he can compete on the highest level and this is what he has to do in the future.

READ SOUTHAMPTON VERDICT

With Cedric out, this will be a great opportunity for Valery to impress Hasenhuttl, and to consolidate a first-team place. But he will need to play exceptionally well if he is to keep his starting place in the side.

He will be facing a tough test if he is to start against Chelsea, with Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham among the star performers for the London club. He could also face Willian or Christian Pulisic on the right hand side this Sunday.