Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl explained substituting Takumi Minamino in defeat to Brighton yesterday.

The 26-year-old Japan international, who headed to the south coast on loan from Liverpool during the January transfer window, has endured a mixed time of it with the Saints.

Southampton do have an FA Cup quarter-final to look forward to, but their poor Premier League form has seen Hasenhuttl's side slip into the bottom reaches of the table.

And the Austrian manager reckons that could be a key factor why Minamino, who was replaced shortly after Southampton went 2-1 behind against Brighton, has served up a mixed bag so far.

Speaking to Hampshire Live, Hassenhuttl said: "It is difficult for him now, because the team is not in the best shape.

"He always shows his quality on the ball, but against Brighton he did not have the biggest impact on the game, this is why I chose to substitute him and bring a fresh player on for him."