Jannik Vestergaard has an early chance to prove he can be a leader for Saints as he comes up against one of the Premier League’s toughest physical tests today.

The Danish centre half, an £18m summer signing, will be tasked with marking Christian Benteke as Saints face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

At an imposing 6ft 7in, Vestergaard has the tools to deal with the strength and power of Benteke and prove he has the leadership qualities Saints signed him for.

“We’re all beginning to understand him more as a person as well – he’s starting to be more vocal about the place in terms of his leadership, which was one of the big things we noticed when we were trying to recruit him,” said Saints boss Mark Hughes.

“It was always mentioned about how he was talking and leading on the field of play.

“When you meet him he’s a great personality and well liked within the group.

“He hasn’t been here a long time but he’s very much integrated into the group.

“I think he’s going to get stronger in terms of his leadership on the pitch and I think we’ll benefit from that.”

The battle between Vestergaard and Benteke could prove to be a memorable, as well as extremely tough, affair, especially given talk that the Dane is the biggest outfield player in the Premier League.

“It wouldn’t surprise me, he’s a big boy,” laughed Hughes.

“The obvious match-up is himself and Benteke.

“You’d like to think his ability in the air and strength to be able to combat the physical strength of Benteke will help us.

“There’s going to be match-ups all over the field of play and we need to come out in the vast majority of them.

“If we don’t, they have good players who can hurt you.”

It will be a tough day for anybody who has to try and battle in the air against Vestergaard, and Hughes admitted he wouldn’t have fancied it too much.

He smiled: “I used to think I was a big striker but they’re all a foot and a half bigger than I was and ever will be. They’re big boys these days.”

Saints are in search of their first Premier League win of the season and Hughes is expecting a tough test against Roy Hodgson’s team.

“They are a very good side and Roy has been there a decent amount of time and you see his imprint on the team,” reflected Hughes.

“They will be well organised and well drilled and he knows what he wants from his teams and they have good talent sprinkled in there.

“They have a physical threat with Benteke and good technical ability with Zaha and pace in full back areas.

“It’s a well balanced team and they will do well this year.”