Nigel Adkins admitted it was a tough decision to drop Dean Hammond – and must now decide whether to give him an instant recall.

The central midfielder, who has been the team’s skipper, was left on the bench as Saints slipped to only their second defeat of the season at Cardiff on Wednesday.

Morgan Schneiderlin, who had scored the equaliser at Burnley just days earlier, came in to replace him.

Adkins now faces a dilemma as to whether to recall Hammond for today’s match against Watford at St Mary’s.

And, if so, he will have to choose between leaving out either Schneiderlin or Jack Cork from the central midfield area.

He said: “It was very tough because he (Hammond) been great for me, but I’ve got to make decisions.

“We’ve got a good squad of players and Morgan has done very well. He came on at the weekend and did very well.

“I had a good chat with Dean and he understands why I have gone and done that."

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