Ralph Hasenhuttl says he is “convinced” by Che Adams and believes his big summer signing will start scoring soon.

Adams, who joined Saints from Birmingham for £15m, was free scoring in pre-season but has yet to net in competitive action despite starting all four of the club’s opening Premier League matches of the campaign.

It is a frustrating wait for the 23-year-old who has had a number of chances that he has failed to convert.

Hasenhuttl, though, is happy with what he’s seen from Adams and is backing him to come good.

He said: “He is a little bit unlucky sometimes with his actions. The pre-season was much easier for him where he scored immediately and this gives you self-confidence.

“He is waiting and working hard and he didn’t score so far but I’m convinced about this guy.

“He’s a very positive guy and he needs a goal but when he works like this in the future it will come I’m sure.”

Hasenhuttl is content that despite a lack of goals Adams is still adding plenty to the side.

“He has a lot of qualities that helps our game,” reflected the Saints boss.

“He is good against the ball, when he has the ball he has a good body.

“Sometimes he takes too many touches and can play quicker and in general in the first half (against Manchester United) that was biggest problem that when we win the ball we can play quicker forward.

“We take too many touches and Ingsy also too often playing with too many touches but you don’t have to forget that we lost Nathan (Redmond) and Moussa (Djenepo) and Michael (Obafemi) with a lot of speed and it is normal that a few changes don’t work perfectly.”

Hasenhuttl also backed Danny Ings to find the net more regularly. Ings has bagged one goal in five appearances this season.

“I think Danny is always working hard and had a few chances against Fulham and didn’t score,” said Hasenhuttl.

“Strikers needs goal to have self-confidence, but I would have more problems with them if they didn’t have chances to score.

“When they have chances I am always confident because you don’t have to forget they have to work so much against the ball and that means when you have the ball and are a little bit more tired and the energy is low to then score is not so easy.

“That’s the reason I am calmer and I don’t criticise them too early if they have chances but they don’t score.”