Ralph Hasenhuttl on reason behind picking Fraser Forster

Hasenhuttl sprung a surprise on Monday evening, dropping regular stopper Alex McCarthy to the bench, with Forster preferred to face Everton.

It was just the second time Forster had featured in the Premier League this season - the other occasion was due to McCarthy testing positive for COVID-19 in January.

But the 32-year-old has impressed during Saints' run to the FA Cup quarter-finals and was yet to concede a goal in any of his four outings this season before the clash at Goodison Park.

That run did come to an end against the Toffees, with Richarlison's goal earning the hosts a 1-0 win.

Asked if he plans to now stick with Forster between the sticks, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "It’s not the moment to decide this. I think he did a good job (against Everton).

"I felt comfortable with him, but I also had the feeling that Alex did not do a bad job in the past games.

"He was a little bit unlucky with some saves I think and then you have to change the momentum. This is what we tried (on Monday).

"Unfortunately it didn’t help us to win or to take a point. But I think we know that we have two goalkeepers we can trust and this is for me the most important thing."

Hasenhuttl has previously this season confirmed Forster will continue to play in Saints' FA Cup games, no matter how far they progress in the competition.

Saints are due to face south coast neighbours Bournemouth in the quarter-finals later this month.

"At first you have to say that he (Forster) deserved to play (against Everton) because I think he did a good job in the cup games," said Hasenhuttl.

"Sure, when you want to change something a goalkeeper is not normally the position you are looking for. But we know that we have two goalkeepers.

"Also for me it was clear that I want to give him games before the cup game.

"Now it’s come earlier to give him a chance to play and I think he did a good job. He deserved to play once and that’s why I changed it."