SAINTS manager Ruben Selles has hailed Kyle Walker-Peters, who captained the team for the first time against Grimsby Town, despite the result.

With James Ward-Prowse rested for the FA Cup defeat, ahead of a return to winning ways in the Premier League against Leicester, Walker-Peters took his chance to wear the armband. 

Saints were knocked out of the competition at home to League Two side The Mariners, with the hosts giving away two penalties in a 2-1 fifth-round loss.

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But Selles remains a fan of the 25-year-old full-back who has two England caps.

Daily Echo:

He told the Daily Echo: "I think Kyle, first of all, is a fantastic player for the team. He's a good player and a good character. He's a good footballer, and I've no doubt that he's fit for the role.

"He probably needs a little bit more time to do it. But, in that game as a captain and as a vice-captain supporting, we're proud. I think he's the perfect one."

Selles confirmed there were three or four experienced players supporting long-serving captain James Ward-Prowse, who is pretty much ever-present in the Premier League. Former Academy scholar Theo Walcott is certainly among them, vowing to 'keep this team up, help the players, help them learn some things from me'.

Walker-Peters played the whole game against Grimsby, completing 90 minutes for Southampton for the first time since mid-January due to a hamstring injury, playing again in the 2-1 victory over the Foxes which lifted Saints off of the foot of the table.