MANAGER Russell Martin revealed he did not introduce Adam Lallana from the bench against Leicester due to Saints being reduced to 10 men.

Martin insisted subbing Lallana on would not have played to his strength, instead turning to Will Smallbone on 68 minutes with the score at 2-1.

Southampton went on to lose the game 3-2, Jordan Ayew scoring at the death, with Smallbone playing the final 10-15 minutes with an injury.

Martin fears the Irish international has 'tweaked' his hamstring again on his return from an injury which saw him miss the last five games.

Asked why Lallana did not come on, Martin told the Daily Echo: "We were down to ten men and we were not going to have a lot of the ball. 

"That's not Adam's strength. Adam's strength is to really dominate the ball. If we still had 11 men he would have come on today 100% and helped us create or control the game but he didn't."

Lallana rejoined Saints in the summer on a one-year deal having departed Brighton at the end of his contract.

The 36 year old has not played since his 20-minute cameo against AFC Bournemouth last month.