Ralph Hasenhüttl says that Will Smallbone had to be convinced that lining out for the Southampton B team would be a step forward rather than step back.
22-year-old Smallbone, an Ireland U21 international, suffered an ACL injury last year. He returned to action in October but has only featured in one Premier League game for Southampton since - December's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
"Yes, this was why we tried to convince him that it is important for him to play,” Hasenhüttl told the Daily Echo.
"It is not a step back, it is always a step forward because he got game time and the chance to play.
"It is important, especially for the young players, to get their rhythm and as we know, we have a lot of games coming up now and it is quite possible that he will play for the first team.
"For that you will need game time, because only in a game will you get normal behaviour and rhythm and this is what you need."
12 November 2021; Will Smallbone of Republic of Ireland in action against Samuele Ricci of Italy during the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying group A match between Republic of Ireland and Italy at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Hasenhüttl hinted last week that Smallbone may also get some game time in the FA Cup. Southampton play West Ham in the fifth round on Wednesday.
"What I always know is that he is on the ball a very good player," the Southampton manager said about Smallbone.
"He still needs to improve his game against the ball, especially on the six position, he needs to get better there. The intensity of his defending I think is a part of his game what can be improved."
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