SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted frustration at Yan Valery’s sending off but added: “In this position he has had not so many games, this was the last option.”

The 22-year-old Frenchman started his second consecutive Saints game during the 3-2 win over Swansea in the FA Cup, but only made to 30 minutes before going for an early bath.

Valery picked up a silly booking inside three minutes and then brought down former Saint Michael Obafemi outside the area to get his marching orders from Simon Hooper.

It left his side in the lurch and almost proved costly, but for a thrilling extra-time fightback spearheaded by match-winner Shane Long.

However, Hasenhuttl pointed to Valery’s inexperience when questioned on the matter after the match.

“In this position he has not so many games played in the past,” he explained.

“This was the last option we had because Tino (Livramento) is out with a knee injury and Kyle (Walker-Peters) is out with a COVID case,” he explained.

“We had a tough game today with a man down for 90 minutes against the ball, we could have had a relaxed evening here if we got the second and then the game is gone.

“But we had to fight very hard to come into the next round, it was a high price we had to pay today.”

Valery performed admirably in Saints’ last outing versus Spurs, which finished 1-1, but was operating as a central defender.

He stepped up after Saints were sent down to ten men in the first-half of that contest, too, following Mohammed Salisu’s red card.

Valery will be suspended for Saints next clash with Brentford in the Premier League, on Tuesday January 11.