PIERRE-Emile Hojbjerg shone on his first start for Saints as Claude Puel's side defeated pre-season opponents FC Twente 2-1 without their Euro 2016 stars.

The £12m Denmark international, who signed from Bayern Munich this summer, scored against PEC Zwolle recently, but provided plenty of insight into his capabilities as Puel gave him a starting role at the heart of Saints' midfield diamond in their second friendly of their tour of Holland.

The 20-year-old was deployed as a deep lying midfielder and was the driving force behind Saints during his hour on the pitch, as Virgil van Dijk and Sam Gallagher struck to secure victory in the absence of a number of key men.

Shane Long, Steven Davis, Fraser Forster and Ryan Bertrand were not selected for this match, with Puel giving them extra time to build up to match after only recently returning to the club after international duty at Euro 2016.

In their absence, it was Hojbjerg that staked a claim for a place in Puel’s starting team, with an accomplished performance that showed why Saints were willing to spend £12m on the energetic Dane.

Playing at the bottom of a midfield four that saw Harrison Reed and Jordy Clasie deployed just ahead of him and Dusan Tadic just behind the striker, Hojbjerg was willing to commit to defensive duties and aid Saints in attack with a number of runs forward.

It didn’t end there with Hojbjerg also showing glimpses of his passing abilities as Saints sealed a narrow win.

His style is very much comparable to former St Mary’s star Morgan Schneiderlin, with his range of passing and defensive attributes.

If the Twente match is anything to go by then Puel is willing to place trust in Hojbjerg to act as the defence's shield just ahead of the centre backs, but also allowing him license to get forward.

Certainly the former Schalke loanee showed that he was able to use his energy and pace to patrol backwards and forwards effectively without compromising stability in defence.

Although it remains to be seen whether he can do it week-in-week out in the Premier League, the early signs suggest that Puel will have a few dilemmas in midfield. 

Oriol Romeu has looked set to play a key role after Victor Wanyama's departure and the French manager also has Hojbjerg, Jordy Clasie, James Ward-Prowse and the versatile Steven Davis to shoehorn into the midfield. 

Puel’s men now prepared for their final pre-season friendly of their trip to Holland against Groningen on Saturday, which is sure to reveal more on how Saints will line up against Watford on the opening day of the league season on August 13.

It is expected that the Long, Davis, Bertrand Forster will be given the nod by Puel to finally get their 2016/17 preparations up and running at the Euroborg.

Daily Echo: