FORMER England international Micah Richards labelled as “ridiculous” Sekou Mara’s assist during the 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

The 20-year-old French forward was introduced from the bench by manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in the second-half for his Premier League debut.

Mara, the summer signing from Bordeaux, came on with his side two goals behind and just 20 minutes to play, but Joe Aribo soon pulled them one closer.

Then, in the final 10 minutes of the match, the youngster produced an excellent bit of skill and a silky no-look pass to break the Leeds lines and see Kyle Walker-Peters pull the team level.

After missing out of the matchday squad in the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Mara, who played just once in pre-season, announced himself to the St Mary’s support.

Daily Echo: Sekou Mara (Pic: Stuart Martin)Sekou Mara (Pic: Stuart Martin)

“This goal was just sublime – it really was,” Richards, who is a Premier League winner with Manchester City, said on BBC’s Match of the Day.

“Mara with the little drag-back or whatever he wants to call it and then what a pass. Defence-splitting pass. It’s just ridiculous – it really is.

“A lot of people would have just passed to the side but he wanted to keep the ball going forward and it’s a great finish.”

Mara could feature again when Saints visit Leicester City next weekend, while substitute Adam Armstrong was also impressive from the bench with the assist for Aribo’s goal.

Che Adams, who had been subject to reports of interest from elsewhere, started the match and his hold-up play was influential in the second-half fightback.

Saints are still in the market to sign another forward, as well as to reinforce other areas of the pitch – if they can trim some of their unnecessarily large squad.

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