RALPH Hasenhuttl explained the exclusion of summer signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from the Saints squad, saying: “We have with Ainsley a lot of work to do.”
The 25-year-old midfielder arrived on loan from Arsenal on deadline day, making his debut for the club during the 1-0 defeat to Wolves last time out.
However, Maitland-Niles – whose deal includes an option to buy – was left out of the travelling squad who visited Aston Villa, eventually succumbing to another 1-0 loss.
Hasenhuttl has admitted there is improvement to be had with Maitland-Niles before he feels he is ready to be part of the Saints squad.
“We have with Ainsley a lot of work to do also because he has to adapt to our game and this is something that takes time a little bit,” Hasenhuttl said, speaking after the match.
“We see also during the week what we ask him to do and especially in the midfield position it takes a little bit to understand how we want to do it.
“It doesn’t make sense to throw someone in who isn’t ready for what we want to do. When he is ready and on the level we think he has to be then he will help us for sure.”
Jacob Ramsey scored the only goal of the game just before half-time at Villa Park, while Joe Aribo was used as a substitute for defensive midfielder Ibrahima Diallo.
Juan Larios, 18, also made his Premier League debut but it was Maitland-Niles – with 88 matches of Premier League experience – who Hasenhuttl deemed not ready for inclusion in his system.
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