RALPH Hasenhuttl defended his decision to start Yan Valery ahead of Kyle Walker-Peters in Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle.

The defender, under pressure from Allan Saint-Maximin, opted to try and control the ball instead of volleying it out.

However, his poor touch led to Saint-Maximin stealing possession before surging forward and slotting his shot past Alex McCarthy.

Asked why he played Valery ahead of Kyle Walker-Peters, Hasenhuttl said: “I think Kyle is new in our club, on loan until the summer.

“He played one game against Burnley where you could also see that he has to learn how we defend and it will take time.

“Yan was very long waiting for this chance and I think until the mistake he made a good job in this position.

“The Premier League means you have to be focused for 90 minutes because if you aren’t then you pay for it.”

Although he wasn’t happy with Moussa Djenepo’s challenge, Hasenhuttl realises the importance of putting his arm around the winger’s shoulder.

The 21-year-old’s mother recently passed away in Mali which meant he was given compassionate leave to return home and miss the West Ham.

He went straight back into Hasenhuttl’s starting XI on Saturday but lasted just 28 minutes after being sent off by Graham Scott for a dangerous tackle on Isaac Hayden.

Despite this, Saints’ manager will do everything he can to support his player.

“I think he lost the ball in that moment.

“He was dribbling, lost the ball and was then too motivated in that moment to win it back immediately. It wasn’t necessary, and he knows he made a stupid foul there.

“When you know about the last week then you can be sure that it will take a lot of work in the next weeks to lift his head again to bring him back with a smile on his face.

“At the moment it’s a very difficult time for him.

“But he can sure that we as a club will do everything to help him and to give every support we have.”

Hasenhuttl also had praise for goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after an excellent first-half performance that saw him make a triple-save, as well as saving Matt Ritchie’s penalty.

He added: “Alex did a fantastic job in the first half and in the second half he didn’t have to do a lot of saves.

“We defended well as a team and he was a very good goalkeeper for us on Saturday.”