ADAM Lallana has shrugged off the controversy he found himself at the centre of regarding referee Mark Clattenburg.

Lallana hit the headlines when he Saints made a complaint over Mark Clattenburg's conduct towards the 25-year-old in January.

The south coast club alleged Clattenburg told Lallana during Saints' game against Everton at the end of December: "You are very different now since you've played for England - you never used to be like this.''

Lallana denies that is the case, but he insists he has no problem with the official, who was cleared of any wrongdoing.

When asked whether becoming an international had changed him, the Saints captain said: "Not at all really, no.

"I've taken lots out of it, training-wise, playing with the best players and it's where you want to be."

Lallana was hurt by the criticism he received following the complaint, but he was at pains to stress it was Saints and not he himself who sent the letter.

"The club made a complaint, not me," he said.

"Mark has refereed us since. I saw him when we exchanged team-sheets before the West Ham game and we were absolutely fine.

"It was blown out of proportion.

"You have to try and take it in your stride as much as you can."