SAINTS boss Russell Martin has challenged Sam Edozie to return to the form he showed early last season during his loan spell at Anderlecht.

Winger Edozie joined the Belgian giants on a season-long loan after a deadline day move to Rangers fell at the 11th hour.

He scored six goals and provided three assists for Southampton last season but was in and out of the starting lineup.

Martin revealed that the 21 year old had his heart set on a season away from Southampton in order to receive regular game time.

The England youth international has already made his debut for the Brussels-based club, playing 30 minutes from the bench in their 2-2 draw with Westerlo.

"I think it's brilliant for him," Martin told the Daily Echo. "He just needs to get back playing, get his spark back.

"Sam wanted to go out on loan and play from day one of pre-season. We were trying to get him back to a point where he can help us here.

"I don't think that us as a group and he has been able to do that. He had his mind set on playing elsewhere this season and playing every game.

"Now he has to go and play every week at Anderlecht, a big club with a lot of expectations. It will be interesting. We will watch with a lot of excitement at what he can do.

"He needs to put himself in a really good position for us over a longer period. That is the aim. He was in such a good place last year.

"Then he got injured and he hasn't been able to get back to where he was. Hopefully this move will enable him to do that."