MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed both Ibrahima Diallo and Theo Walcott were left out of his squad for Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester – and instead were tasked with a training session.

Walcott was seen at St Mary’s for the Premier League clash with the Foxes but did not take part in the matchday process.

Frenchman Diallo was an unused substitute at Liverpool on Saturday, having picked up an ankle problem in training last week.

But asked about the pair by the Daily Echo, Austrian boss Hasenhuttl revealed a different reason for the duo’s respective omissions.

Quizzed on whether Walcott and Diallo had picked up knocks, Hasenhuttl replied: “No. It is important at the moment that we have the players that are not playing, they have proper sessions during the week.

“Because I think it is important to have them at the highest level – otherwise the gap between the players that are always playing and players that are never playing is getting too big.

“Maybe I will need them at the weekend? This is why I need them with minimum one good session during the week.

“This is why we have to do this in the future.

“We always give some players the chance, instead of sitting on the bench and maybe not having a chance to come in, but, okay, therefore have a good session over 90 minutes or whatever to be available for the games that are coming up.

“We have so many games that are coming up.

“Last season we had the problems that the gap was getting too big between the players that never played and the players that always played.

“Then they had to step in because some of them got injured. We have learned from this and we try to do this different now, so they can be here next week.

“Now players are suddenly during the week, training and not being part of the squad, this is what we have to do.”

Saints host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.