JANNIK Vestergaard believes Saints will have a player on their hands if Moussa Djenepo can turn into the next Sadio Mane.

Ex-Saint Mane has established himself as one of the best players in Europe after a stunning season last year culminated in a Champions League win with Liverpool.

The central defender said: "He's been great.

"He's very quick, he's very sharp, his movement is very tough to grasp.

"Time will tell, he's done good since he came in against Liverpool and against Brighton. We hope to see a lot more of him.

“I'm happy with what he brings to our team. If he can come in and be anywhere close to Sadio Mane that's the one for us.”

Djenepo has so far taken to the pitch with a smile, with Vestergaard revealing that the Mali international brings that excitement to the dressing room.

"He's pretty equal to what he is on the pitch,” added Vestergaard.

"He seems to enjoy life!

"He's a very happy guy coming in with a lot of happiness. He brings a lot of joy to everyone and enjoys life, enjoys the ball and enjoys the music in the dressing room, all sorts of things.”

As well as scoring at the Amex Stadium, Djenepo linked up well with Saints duo Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal.

The trio have shown they have the capability to petrify defences with their pace, skill and eye for goal.

It was Boufal and Redmond who combined for Saints’ second last Saturday to ensure Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side left with three points.

Redmond left Craven Cottage on Tuesday in a protective boot after injuring his ankle against Fulham and is a major doubt ahead of Saturday's match.

“Every team has players with pace, pace alone is not the most difficult to play against, so it has to be compared with an understanding of the game, knowing how to move and with a technical ability on the ball," added Vestergaard.

“They all have those components, so they are very tough to play against.”

Vestergaard also admitted that he has full confidence in his own ability at the back after Saints kept their first clean sheet in nine Premier League games at the Amex Stadium.

The defender added: "I can understand it [criticism] after the Burnley game but I thought I did well against Liverpool. My opinion does not really matter.

"I think I've had many good games before that too so I think I've shown you can rely on me and not base it on one game.”