SAINTS boss Russell Martin admitted Tyler Dibling has been unlucky not to start a Premier League game, but admitted he could not play 90 minutes at Brentford.

Dibling, 18, delivered another eye-catching performance from the bench on Saturday in Southampton's 3-1 defeat having provided two assists against Cardiff on Wednesday.

He played a pivotal role in Yukinari Sugawara's late consolation goal having run the Brentford defenders ragged for 30 minutes.

Martin explained that Dibling is not yet conditioned to the relentless intensity of top-level senior football - but insisted Saints will help him get there.

Martin told the Daily Echo: We have to take the leash off a little bit in the final third, which Matty Fernandes and Tyler Dibling did. They were fantastic.

Tyler Dibling has only made nine senior appearances for SaintsTyler Dibling has only made nine senior appearances for Saints (Image: PA)
"Tyler was knackered at the end because he couldn't have played 90 minutes today. He played 90 minutes on Wednesday.

"His body is not conditioned to do that yet at this level, but he is an outstanding player. So we have to find a way to get him up to speed by doing that.

"I think with Tyler, he has a level of talent that is unique. He has a physicality where it's not like many other 18 year olds, but he's not conditioned to keep repeating the action.

"We need to get him to that and he's 18, so it's difficult. He does one amazing action, then he takes too long to recover to get the next one.

"But he's an incredible player. I love him as a young man as well. So it's my job to get him ready and make sure he can help us and put himself in the team.

"He's doing that with his performances. He's probably unlucky not to start a game yet but I hope people understand that the guys in the team have been amazing for us.

"There's a level of credit they've built up. But now, after three defeats, it doesn't really mean much, unfortunately. Football moves on quickly and now it's about the guys that are in the best place.

"Tyler's given himself every opportunity to be in the team or to really impact it straight away from the bench."