JAN Bednarek described as “a really intelligent player” his Saints central-defensive partner Jannik Vestergaard - as the great Dane looks to keep alive his Euro 2020 dream on Saturday.

Vestergaard has featured in all of Denmark’s group fixtures at the international tournament and will be looking to line-up against Wales in the last-16 in Amsterdam.

The 28-year-old played the full 90 minutes at Parken Stadium on Monday, as the Danes qualified for the knockout rounds after a dramatic 4-1 victory over Russia.

Bednarek’s Poland suffered elimination from the competition after picking up just one point from three group games.

But, speaking before the tournament, Bednarek outlined how he felt he could improve as a player at Saints lining up alongside Vestergaard.

Asked about working alongside Vestergaard by the Daily Echo, Bednarek said: “I think he’s a really intelligent player. He has a lot of qualities with the ball.

“He can really make great passes in behind their defensive line.

“I think I can improve by the side of him and I can really learn from him. That’s the most important thing.

“We just try together new things and try to improve and learn from him.”

Vestergaard played 30 times in the Premier League for Saints last season, having been named in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s starting XI on 29 occasions.

The Dane has been linked with a move away from the south coast in the past, but became a regular starter under Hasenhuttl last campaign.

Vestergaard joined Saints for £18million from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in 2018. It is understood his current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2022.

Asked back in April whether he had made it clear to Vestergaard how much he wanted him to stay, Hasenhuttl replied: “I think he feels at the moment, as a leader on the pitch.

“When he performs well and shows the form he has shown after the summer break, where he was physically very strong, then he can be definitely one of the better centre-backs in the Premier League.

“This is very helpful for us and he knows this. I think in the end, he knows that we are happy he is here.

“We didn’t always have such a good time together. He was also struggling, like we all have during these two-and-a-half years since I’ve been here.

“But especially this season he has shown some very good qualities and has developed his game massively. He still knows that we want to have him here.

“We are in negotiations with him and, hopefully, we will find a solution that is best for both of us.”