Ralph Hasenhuttl insists he is not afraid to blood even more youngsters in the upcoming season.

The Saints boss handed four young players their first team debuts in the second half of the last campaign and has begun pre-season with another raft of up-and-comers involved.

Hasenhuttl is basing his Saints tenure around a high octane and physically demanding style of play that will generally suit younger players better and wants to ensure the pathway from the academy to the first team remains open.

He said: “All the young players I trust in them and they can help us as a substitute for sure but suddenly you never know, there comes a chance to play and they have to. I am not afraid about that.”

Tyreke Johnson, Kayne Ramsay, Marcus Barnes and Callum Slattery were given first team debuts by Hasenhuttl last season while the Austrian also promoted the likes of Yan Valery and Michael Obafemi at the detriment of more established stars.

He has used a fresh swathe of young players in pre-season so far.

Some of that has been driven by the necessity of padding out the squad travelling to China, but the likes of Jake Vokins, Will Smallbone, Dan N’lundulu and Christoph Klarer have made an impact.

Indeed, Hasenhuttl is prepared to go into the new season with Vokins as the primary cover for Ryan Bertrand at left back, having taken the decision to sell Matt Targett to Aston Villa.

Hasenhuttl’s policy is likely to go down well with supporters who have largely had enough of seeing more experienced and high earning stars battling relegation over the past couple of seasons.

The Saints boss has also taken the decision to buy in young talent and the club are likely to have one of the lowest average ages in the Premier League next season.

With just over a fortnight left until the close of the transfer window the task remains to try and shift on some of the surplus senior stars to create the space for the younger players to come through with pre-season giving Hasenhuttl fresh encouragement.

“I think we had a few young guys now with the team so far in pre-season,” reflected Hasenhuttl.

“Daniel N’lundulu was also with us and showed that he can be an option for us.

“Will Smallbone is also a guy I like seeing playing because he has a very good view in the front and is open minded and learned very quick. In the beginning it was difficult and he had problems against the ball where he had to run and attack but it’s amazing how quick the guys are learning.

“It’s absolutely necessary for us to give them the chance to play and they showed very good things so far and it’s a big step for him forward.”