SAINTS manager Russell Martin insisted there will be no "tactical booking" for Jan Bednarek, who is one yellow card from a two-match ban.
The Polish international has received nine bookings in the Championship this season, with a two-match suspension for accumulating 10.
EFL rules dictate that a 10th yellow card accumulated after the 37th match of the season will not serve a suspension.
Saints have played 33 matches in their Championship campaign, meaning Bednarek has four matches to avoid a ban.
Saints face Leicester City away on matchday 38 of the season and Bednarek could be suspended - however, Martin insists you cannot manage the situation specifically.
He told the Daily Echo: I don’t want to take any edge away from his game. He made two humungous tackles in the middle of the pitch the other night.
"He’s on a ban but I think he understands that he still has to do what he needs to do for the team. Jan Bednarek for me is an amazing player, an amazing person to work with.
"We speak about him all the time. Some of his performances have been incredible. He’s probably someone who goes a little bit under the radar.
"I don’t know what the narrative is around Janny with supporters, but I know he had a difficult time last season and went away. I hope everyone sees how committed he is."
Martin continued: "He has a huge say in what we do with the ball in the build-up. He gives us his opinion all the time which is a brilliant thing. I think he’s really grown.
I’ve really enjoyed watching him grow, as I have so many of the others. If we lose him, we have two other brilliant centre-halves and people that can fill in there so it’s less of a concern but of course, you don’t want to lose Janny.
I don’t know what the likelihood is of the next four games of him avoiding a booking to play the way he plays, to be all in like that. It’s quite difficult so I’m not going to ask him to manage himself in the same way I wouldn’t do that to Flynn (Downes). It’s a big part of their game.
"So, yeah go all-in and if he gets booked, we’ll deal with it, if he doesn’t then even better. They’re all tough. There’s no thinking we’ll need him for this one or get him booked for that one.
"There’s nothing tactical. Well not from me, maybe in Janny’s mind but I doubt it. There won’t be any tactical yellow card for us to try and miss that game or to try and be fit for that game. No chance.
"They are all difficult. It would be disrespectful to the opponent we’re going to face, and it would be disrespectful to the team. There will be no tactical booking. Go all in, be how you’ve been, and just keep doing that."
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