CLUB captain Jack Stephens featured for Southampton’s under-21s in a 4-1 win over Fleetwood Town on Friday evening.

Stephens, 30, is still serving his extended suspension following a misconduct charge.

The defender was handed a further two-game ban last month, having already missed three games after seeing red against United.

Stephens was joined by fellow senior players Joe Lumley, Ronnie Edwards and Juan Larios, who again turned out for Simon Rusk’s side.

Saints took the lead against Fleetwood under-21s through Jay Robinson - the winger forcing home at the near post.

They had chances to double their lead before the game was halted after a serious injury to Fleetwood’s Zack Littler.

Littler had to be stretchered off with gas and air after going down following a 50-50 with Spanish full-back Larios.

The game resumed after a delay of over 10 minutes and it was the visitors who scored next. Crispin McLean crashed in past Lumley after the ball appeared to divert into his direction.

Saints rallied and hit the crossbar through Princewill Ehibhatiomhan before Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh did restore their lead.

The Irishman saw his deflected effort loop into the corner during 13 minutes of additional time.

An injury to Noel Buck meant 64 first half minutes were played before the referee blew his whistle.

The feisty affair continued under diagonal rain at Staplewood as Saints pushed for a third.

Stephens moved into midfield for the final minutes following the introduction of young centre-back Jayden Moore.

Fleetwood boss Nathan Pond, 39, came on for the final minutes but he could not prevent Will Merry and Ehibhatiomhan adding goals in additional time.