SAINTS manager Ruben Selles explained that brace-scorer Kamaldeen Sulemana has not played a bigger role this season due to needing time to adapt to the Premier League.

The Ghanaian international netted his first and second goals for the club in a crazy 4-4 draw with fifth-placed Liverpool on the final day of the Premier League season.

Other than assisting in the defeat at Newcastle United last month, it was club-record signing Kamaldeen’s first contributions in a Saints shirt.

Kamaldeen had started on the substitutes bench in five of the last six league matches before Liverpool, although he has totalled 17 Premier League appearances since deadline day.

Asked about why Kamaldeen had not been playing more, Selles, speaking at St Mary’s after the match, responded: “As I told you, and I know you sometimes wear on me because I say it’s a process.

“It’s not easy to bring a player in Ligue 1 that has not been playing many minutes straight into making an impact in the Premier League.

“He didn’t put all the robust and constant effort we needed because he is like that and needed to learn the Premier League way.”

Selles added: “The game today was beneficial for him because Liverpool’s structure is not exactly there, (Virgil) van Dijk didn’t play, (Andrew) Robertson didn’t play, so they brought players in they do not usually play.

“So we knew we can have possibilities to give him some freedom in the number nine position, on the counterattack with penetration and also come a little bit deeper to get the ball.

“He did this today in a game that was not a brilliant structure from both teams, but he has learned the competition and learned the level and yes sometimes you need a little bit of time to get that level of performance.”