Mark Hughes insists he would have 'no qualms' about handing rookie defender Jan Bednarek his Premier League debut in Saturday's crucial clash with Chelsea.
Southampton remain three points shy of escaping the relegation zone, with just six games to play in the campaign.
The Saints will be without Jack Stephens for the weekend's encounter against Chelsea at St Mary's, with the defender starting a three-match ban following his red card in the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.
Poland defender Bednarek joined Saints from Lech Poznan in a £5million deal last summer but has failed to break into the starting XI so far.