JACK Stephens hopes Saints have restored some confidence in their ability following last night’s Carabao Cup loss to Manchester City.

The defender’s 75th minute goal wasn’t enough to salvage anything for the St Mary’s side after a brace from Sergio Aguero and a Nicolas Otamendi header.

Speaking to BBC Solent, Stephens said: “It’s been a really tough few days, but not just for us, for everyone: the staff, the club, the fans and everyone in the city.

“The whole country has been laughing at us and I’m sure there were a lot of people expecting us to concede a lot of goals against Manchester City.

“It was tough for us to come here, but I thought we showed a lot of character and fight.

“When it went 2-0 in the first half, after Friday, it would have been very easy to give up like we did on Friday.

“It was important that we stood up and stuck together.

“We gave them too much time in the first half but that was always going to happen because it’s a tough place to come when you are full of confidence, let alone when you don’t have any at all.

“I was really pleased with how we played in the second half. We stuck together and defended well as a team and created a few chances.”

Stephens was picked in the starting XI for the first time since Saints played Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Even though Ralph Hasenhuttl has continued to chop and change his defenders, the 25-year-old was often resigned to a spot on the bench.

Because of this, Stephens knew he had to take his chance when he got it.

“I’m always happy to play for this team,” added the former Plymouth player.

“It’s been a tough time for me. Really frustrating. All I could do was control what I was doing and keep working hard in training and getting my head down.

“I was just waiting for that opportunity and, because I’ve been asking for it, it was down to me to take it when I got it.

“I just wanted to show that I care about the club. I care about this team, and I want to help as much as possible.”