Southampton's Ibrahima Diallo faces James Ward-Prowse battle

The 22-year-old midfielder has started all three games while the skipper has been suspended and has impressed in the centre of the park alongside Oriol Romeu and then Stuart Armstrong at Chelsea.

But Ward-Prowse’s three-match suspension is now up and that could see a return of his and Romeu’s partnership for Watford on Saturday, when Saints return to Premier League action.

James Ward-Prowse was given a straight red card at Chelsea this month (Pic: PA)

“It is tough,” Diallo admitted, speaking to the Daily Echo after the 1-1 draw and penalty shootout defeat at Stamford Bridge, “with Prowsey and Ori, there are a lot of good players in this team.

“So it is hard to play but like I said many times I’ll stay ready for when the coach needs me. I think, yeah, I did a great performance, I’m happy, I’m happy for the team and I try to help the team all the time so it’s good.

“I think so, that it is a little bit difficult for me to be in the team, everybody wants to play. But there’s no 12th position in the game so you have to be ready to go in and get more minutes.”

Saints took the reigning European champions and Premier League-leaders all the way despite manager Ralph Hasenhuttl making nine changes of his own to the side that started last time out.

Ibrahima Diallo assisted Armando Broja for Saints' second goal against Burnley (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Che Adams had cancelled out Kai Havertz’s opener before both teams had big chances to win, with Diallo admitting that to lose on penalties was gutting.

The Frenchman added: “Of course, of course. But that’s football and we are proud of our performance, it was not a win but it was a good performance.

“It was good, we know it’s a big team (Chelsea) and we did a good performance, I think we have to bring this in the big games.”