Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on Southampton's Angus Gunn

The duo are close friends, having played together in a range of youth teams for England.

Gunn shipped nine goals at St Mary's in a woeful team display against Leicester, which equalled the Premier League's biggest ever defeat.

"It was tough to watch because obviously Gunny is my friend," Ramsdale told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

"I feel sorry for him because any heavy defeat is hard. But 9-0, that is a very tough one to take."

Former Manchester City talent Gunn joined Saints for £13.5million in 2018 and has made 27 appearances for the club.

And the 23-year-old impressed enough to force his way past two full England internationals in Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster to make his top-flight debut in January, where he has played regularly ever since.

Gunn's performances have been placed under the spotlight in recent weeks after a handful of mistakes.

Saints have conceded a whopping 25 goals so far this season, which is more than any other Premier League side.

However, Ramsdale is backing his mate to bounce back from Friday's disappointment.

He said: "That's football. I think he's already kept two or three clean sheets so you can't be too greedy.

"But it's tough for him and hopefully they can get out the rut and I can see him doing well."