Hasenhuttl praises Walcott's desire after his first goal since return to Saints

The 31-year-old, on loan from Everton, netted for the visitors for the first time since January 2006 to earn a 1-1 draw at Wolves.

Pedro Neto’s equaliser claimed a point for the hosts after Walcott missed a fine chance to make it 2-0.

Former England man Walcott returned to St Mary’s for the season in October, having left for Arsenal in January 2006, and Hasenhuttl knows he cares about his boyhood club.

“I’m happy to work with Theo, he definitely showed it means something to him to play for this club,” he said, with Saints fifth in the Premier League.

“You can feel how much he invests working for the team.

“It was good to see how quickly he has adapted to our game, although he can be more clinical. It’s important, we must be a team who can play without these players (the injured Danny Ings).

“We did our maximum with the squad we have. I’m very proud of my team because taking something was not easy.”

Saints extended to seven games their unbeaten run ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Manchester United (2pm).