Fraser Forster remains one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers despite his omission from the England squad, according to Mauricio Pellegrino.

Forster was left out of Gareth Southgate’s latest squad despite the England boss naming four stoppers.

It is a blow for Forster who has enjoyed an up and down year or so but has the total backing of the Saints manager.

“We were talking with the goalkeeping coach about the situation but it was really close to the game,” said Pellegrino of Forster’s omission.

“He is experienced and sometimes you have to live this type of situation.

“Football is like life. Everything can change suddenly.

“It is something we have to know, all of us, you can win, you can lose, you can be in the top, you can be in the bottom. It’s like life.”

Pellegrino refused to criticise Southgate’s decision and said: “I can talk about Fraser as a Southampton goalkeeper. I don’t have any opinion about the national team. This question is not for me.

“I respect the decision of the manager of the national team.

“I can work with Fraser to improve every single day.

“Fraser is for me one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. He is with us and I have to support him but we have to respect the decision of the manager of the national team.”

Forster made some good stops to help Saints keep a clean sheet and bag a draw at Huddersfield.

It left Saints heading into the international break unbeaten in the Premier League this season, and Pellegrino with an impression that he is making progress.

“Hopefully,” he admitted. “You never know the performance of the team. Sometimes you are getting better, sometimes you are getting worse.

“It is not maths. Football is a game where participate human beings and sometimes are in a good way, the confidence is high.

“I am happy because we were working really hard this week after the defeat in the Cup and for this reason, in this way, I think we will improve I am sure.”