MARK Wotte believes Zoltan Liptak can be a useful asset for Saints after watching him score in yesterday’s 2-0 friendly win over a Glenn Hoddle Academy side.

The Hungarian defender played the full 90 minutes and scored the first goal of the behind-closed-doors game at Staplewood.

Liptak was making his first appearance in a Saints shirt after being signed on loan from Hungarian side FC Ujpest until the end of the season.

He said: “I am very happy now, because I played my first match for Southampton and we won. I scored the goal in my first match so I am very happy now.

“I played in the first 15 minutes not so well, but after that I played better.

“I want to play in the first team and I want to help Southampton climb out from the relegation zone.”

Head coach Wotte was impressed with the giant centre back and believes, along with Olly Lancashire, he can provide good cover for Chris Perry and Jan-Paul Saeijs.

“I was pleased with the performance of Zoltan Liptak, he did a good job,” said Wotte.

“He scored a good goal and you see his threat from set-pieces and he’s very decent in defence.

“Zoltan today made a good impression on me.”

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