BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu has shown “all the potential” to become a top stopper – as he gets set to return to his former club tomorrow.

The Republic of Ireland international was Saints’ first signing of a busy transfer window over the summer, coming in for a reported £12million from Manchester City.

He has played every minute in the Premier League since his arrival, with the St Mary’s side set to take on the division’s defending champions at Etihad Stadium (3pm).

Bazunu spent three years with the Citizens, having arrived from Shamrock Rovers in February 2019.

He had loan spells in the Football League with Rochdale and Portsmouth, before opting to make the move to head to Saints on a five-year deal back in June.

Asked how he would assess the 20-year-old’s start to life as a Premier League footballer, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “It’s a big step and big learning and it’s a young lad who showed the potential.

“I think it’s a special game for him (against City) and so far, I think he showed some good patterns in his game.

“But we have also seen that he has to learn still a lot and I think what’s important for me is always that I see the work they do with the goalkeepers.

“The support he gets from the other two lads to help him to get better – he’s a very good character as I always say and has all the potential to one time be a very good goalkeeper.”

Saints are the only club in the top flight this season not to keep a clean sheet after eight fixtures.

Quizzed whether a lack of shutouts would play on the keeper’s mind, Hasenhuttl, whose side recorded a goalless draw at City last season, said: “Yeah, sure. I mean, it would be a good moment to be honest to have the first one at the weekend."

Bazunu faces competition for his starting spot in Saints’ goalkeeping group from Alex McCarthy and former Manchester City man Willy Caballero.

And Hasenhuttl believes the veteran Argentinian stopper acted as a good “role model” for any young player.

Speaking about the influence Caballero could have on Bazunu, Austrian boss Hasenhuttl said: “An absolutely amazing guy to be honest, who you like to have in your team because he’s a fantastic professional, playing for long years.

“He is still able to do what he likes the most. Playing football, standing in the goal, flying around, catching balls and when you see the joy he has with his job – this is something that you should take as a role model for many a young player because this is something exceptional.”

Saints are looking to put an end to a run of three straight league defeats this weekend.

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