MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl said Saints striker Che Adams “will get his time to play again” after being left out of his starting XI in recent weeks.

The former Birmingham City frontman had been a regular first-choice option for the St Mary’s side this season, alongside strike partner Danny Ings.

Adams has however been forced to play a role from the bench in recent weeks.

Nathan Redmond has partnered Ings up front in both league and cup fixtures against Wolves, as well as Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Asked why Adams has not featured in his starting XI in recent games, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “Yes, he was a little bit unlucky in the last weeks.

“These games were far away from what he was playing in the beginning of the season.

“He had to work a lot up front, so it’s normal that there comes a moment where you’re a little bit struggling with freshness and so it’s good for him to have a few days now to recover.

“And then I’m happy to have him because he can score, he can help you.

“He will get his time to play again, for sure.”

Adams’s most recent goal for Saints came in a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United back in December.

Since then, the 24-year-old has gone 14 games in all competitions without scoring.