Southampton Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that Saints supporters will get their first chance to see two of the summer signings play at St Mary's on Saturday with Gavin Bazunu & Sekou Mara set to make their home debuts.

Most Southampton fans have not yet had the chance to see Gavin Bazunu play yet, so far he has only had two outings in pre season, playing the first half in Austria against RB Leipzig and then a full 90 minutes against Watford last weekend at Wealdstone.

In contrast Alex McCarthy has played the 2nd half against Leipzig and also has two full games under his belt playing 90 minutes against both Klagenfurt and Monaco.

Saints fans who have seen these games either live or on TV streams in the main agree that Bazunu has shown the best form of the summer, so they will be pleased to hear that Bazunu will start against Villarreal ahead of McCarthy.

In truth many will wonder why McCarthy has had more game time, he is a known quantity whereas Bazunu although a talent, isn't, so far he has only played in League One and it is a big step up to the Premier League.

It is a step that many think he can make, but if that is the case he needs game time pre season and hasn't got as much as he should do.

"Yes, this is the plan," Hasenhuttl confirmed to Hampshire Live when asked if Bazunu would start on Saturday. "Absolutely positive, some of the things I have seen [in the performance]. This is always what I ask from the players and if you know me as a manager, or us as staff, we are always keen for seeing good performances and players developing what we are asking for, and then they have the chance to play."

Also making an appearance will be Sekou Mara the latest signing, he was at the game against Monaco and watched from the stands alongside others not involved with the squad on the night including injured players Tino Livramento & Nathan Tella as well as Chelsea's Levi Colwill who posted on his instagram account pictures of him watching the game.

Photo: Action Images

TimSaint added 12:40 - Jul 28 In other words, let's try to give slow ticket sales a boost !!
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IWOZTHERE added 13:15 - Jul 28 'Shout outs' for Stu, Valery, Aribo, and even Romeu for making things happen in an advanced role. That's what we've needed. Aribo good at breaking out and finding our players in the box. Perceptive passer. What's going to be the make-up of our midfield? Stu and Oriol are too good to drop and are mainstays. I've suggested we signed their successors, but for the future and Lavia and Aribo look too good to leave out? I guess JWP is 'untouchable?'

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saint_ben added 13:34 - Jul 28 Bazuna will obviously play the whole game on saturday giving both keepers the same amount of game time unless my calculations are wrong? maybe im missing somthing.
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underweststand added 14:43 - Jul 28 The "new look " Saints. Like Lawrie McMenemy's 1970's formula " old heads, young legs" we will see the "senior " / experienced players; Stu. A, Romeu , JWP, Mo E. and even Stephens reading the game and making the vital passes whilst the " young bloods" do all the running and then be replaced by 5 others from the bench on 60 mins. Good strategy. Even if they didn't complete every pass the likes of Valery, Diallo, and Aribo showed a lot of pace and energy. Now to see Ralph making another good signing to add to the squad.

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Block8 added 15:02 - Jul 28 Start the team you have in mind for Spurs and lets see how they gel, also settle on your formation. We need to close the space behind our attacking full backs, so a pacey back three for me and a sitting midfielder to help them out. Armstrong (A) is going to get goals this season and show how good he is! COYR
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Monksway added 19:13 - Jul 28 Not sure why we haven't been mentioned in connection with Joe Rodon. Really good centre back needing game time.
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