Mauricio Pellegrino has denied that there has been a fall-out with centre back Wesley Hoedt and insists he was left out of the team to face Leicester due to tactical reasons.

The £17m summer signing was not even on the bench to face the Foxes at St Mary’s.

However, Pellegrino was adamant that Hoedt was out for footballing rather than disciplinary reason.

He said: “Just tactical reasons because I feel now I have a lot of players can do it well but I can’t control a social media story.

“I made my decision thinking about the team and to try to find the best way for every single game.”

Hoedt could even be in line for a recall to the team to face Chelsea tomorrow.

Pellegrino is considering his options, which could either be straight change, or reverting to three centre halves, a tactic which proved successful when Saints travelled to another of the Premier League’s big guns in Manchester City.

“Yes, we’re thinking about it,” said Pellegrino of the possible formation change.

“We didn’t change too much – only change in the past like the other day, Arsenal also play with five defenders and I think we did well and I’m thinking of something we can do quickly because we don’t have a lot of time

“ But we have some habits and can do well in this game.”