MANAGER Russell Martin was full of praise for returning club legend Adam Lallana as he ran the show during his second Saints debut.

Lallana, 36, played 26 minutes of Southampton's 5-3 win over Championship Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday.

It was the academy graduate's first appearance since re-signing for Saints this summer, after picking up an injury during pre-season.

Lallana - 10 years on from his Liverpool transfer - completed all 30 out of his 30 attempted passes as he set the example for a young team around him.

Speaking after the match, Martin told the Daily Echo: "We have young players with such an opportunity to have a career like Adam Lallana has had.

"I really believe that but he's the benchmark he came on the pitch and just did everything right. So calm, so composed. Brilliant detail.

"I just spoke to him. He absolutely loved being back on the pitch, that was a big bonus for us. He'll help us a lot. Lots to improve but lots to be happy about."

Martin, who is only two years older than Lallana, added: "He was great. He was brilliant. I'm really pleased for him. I love Adam as a person.

"I love how much he cares about football. I love how much he wants to learn about football still at his age and wants to teach others.

"We have some brilliant conversations. I hope he's taking as much from me as I'm taking from him. I'm really delighted.

"I'm proud of how he's been disappointed about not playing and stuff but just got on with it and been so professional and helped so much around the place.

"The young guys are going to learn a lot from him and that was part of the reason we signed him, but you can also see he's going to help us on the pitch."

Lallana could make the squad in the Premier League for the first time this season when Saints visit Brentford on Saturday, August 31.