VICTOR Wanyama has apologised for his costly sending off in the 1-0 defeat at Norwich.

The Kenyan was yellow carded for one late sliding tackle in the first half before getting booked and seeing red for another wild lunge, three minutes before Alex Tettey's winning goal with around 15 minutes left at Carrow Road.

Wanyama's dismissal saw Saints instantly under pressure from the Canaries who made the extra man advantage tell almost immediately.

Manager Ronald Koeman expressed his anger at one of Saints' most experienced players getting sent off in such fashion.

Now Wanyama has responded with an apology.

"I would just like to apologise to the manager, fans and everyone at the club for my red card yesterday," he wrote on Instagram.

"It was reckless and irresponsible and I should have used my experience to have not let it happen, especially when I was on a yellow card.

"I now just want to focus on getting back on the pitch and helping the team as much as I can."

James Ward-Prowse put Wanyama's red card down to his fellow midfielder's enthusiasm but felt the other Saints players battled well for the remainder of the match.

"Victor is an aggressive player and he likes to get around the pitch. It was unfortunate for him that he got sent off," Ward-Prowse said.

"It's always difficult, but we coped well after the goal. It was just one of those moments and to be fair, the guy took the goal very well.

"It was a real test of character out there and we can learn a lot from that.

"We have to learn from it - it's a new year and a new start, but it wasn't the ideal start. It's a test of character to come through the bad times."