Martin admits last season's Saints hero Armstrong is really frustrated

Armstrong, 27, contributed 24 goals and 13 assists to power Saints to promotion from the Championship, including the winner in the play-off final.

He started the first three Premier League matches but was hooked at half-time during the 3-1 defeat to Brentford and has been limited to two cameos since.

Armstrong had struggled in his first two seasons in the top flight after a £15million move from second-tier Blackburn Rovers in 2021.

He is not yet showing signs of turning that around but Ross Stewart's injury combined with the team's poor form could open the door again.

"He just needs to preserve and keep working," Martin told the Daily Echo. "Arma's really frustrated at the moment, as he should be.

Russell Martin says Adam Armstrong will still be important (Image: PA)

"It's probably been a bit hard on him because we signed Cameron Archer and Ross Stewart had come back fit.

"Arma played predominantly on the right for us last season, pretty much all season. Ben Brereton Diaz plays wide left, Arma plays wide right.

"Paul Onuachu and Ross are very similar profiles so in case you need them at some point and then you have Cam. It's like they're all very different.

"Arma just needs to be patient and trust that we absolutely love him still and we know what he can do. There'll be games where we really, really need him."

Martin added: "And looking back, I should have put him on the pitch on Monday night at Bournemouth so it's my fault, not his.

"I've told him that and he hopefully accepts that. Whilst being frustrated, he trained brilliantly and I know he's ready for us whenever we need him.

"He'll have a big part to play. It's been a bit of a frustrating few games for him but that's football. It's never linear. It's never a straight line.

"He needs to stick with it, keep working hard as he has done in training and use the frustration he feels when he gets his opportunity. I've got no doubt he will."