RALPH Hasenhuttl has admitted Saints “convinced” Willy Caballero to extend his deal until the end of the season and insisted: “He is absolutely an important part of our group.”

The 40-year-old shot-stopper has signed a new contract to keep him with Saints until the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign, after his one-month deal expired this week.

He was initially signed to provide cover for injured Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster in Saints’ net.

Veteran goalkeeper Caballero had been on the books of Manchester City and Chelsea since 2014-15 and adds vast experience to Hasenhuttl’s developing squad.

Although he only made two Premier League appearances before injured Forster returned to the starting XI, he had done more than enough behind the scenes to prove his potential importance to Hasenhuttl.

“Willy is a fantastic character who has freshened up our goalkeeper group massively,” Hasenhuttl said, after Caballero signed his new contract.

“With the experience he brings, he is absolutely an important part of that group, and that was the reason we wanted to convince him to stay with us until the end of the season.

“I am very happy he has decided to do this.”

Caballero could be in line to start in the FA Cup third round clash with Swansea City on Saturday, January 8.