RALPH Hasenhuttl believes Danny Ings is giving England boss Gareth Southgate a selection headache.

Ings has already bagged 11 goals this season, with nine of those coming in the Premier League.

This has left him level with England ace Harry Kane, one behind Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and two short of Tammy Abraham’s total.

Jamie Vardy is way in front on 16 goals, but the Leicester striker has retired from international duty.

Hasenhuttl said: “I don’t think I have to tell Gareth what to do.

“He has a very good view of all his players I think. Ingsy is a fantastic character and has a winning mentality.

“When he stays fit like this and scores like this it’s the best thing you can do as a striker, is to make it as difficult as possible for the manager.

“It’s good to maybe have him as an alternative.”

Should Ings score again this evening, he will equal a Saints record that has stood for 17 years.

Not since James Beattie achieved the feat has a St Mary’s forward scored in six consecutive top-flight matches.

However, the ex-Liverpool striker is still some way behind Ron Davies, who managed to net in 10 games in a row back in 1966.

It’s no secret that Ings put in extra work during his post-season break to ensure that he reported for Saints duty in tip-top shape.

He started the campaign playing second fiddle to summer signing Che Adams and scored just once in his first seven appearances.

But his brace against Pompey sparked a sensational run in front of goal that isn’t showing any sign of slowing down.

Since that game in September the 27-year-old has failed to score in just two matches, the 9-0 Leicester defeat and the 2-1 loss to Manchester City.

Hasenhuttl was happy to admit that Ings’ form at the moment has rightly put him amongst England’s best.

The Austrian is also backing the striker to equal Beattie’s long-standing record.

“He’s having a fantastic run at the moment and we have fantastic strikers in England; Vardy and Kane all have fantastic quality,” added Hasenhuttl.

“But I’m very happy he shows up like this. He’s a very important player for our team at the moment and I hope his run continues as long as possible.

“If he scores one more he gets the record and he deserves this because he worked really hard in the summer so it’s no surprise he’s now playing well.”