ROMAIN Perraud suffered a significant setback at a time when he could have most done without, and when Saints absolutely needed to do without.

Following Tino Livramento’s ACL injury in April, Kyle Walker-Peters being shifted back to the right meant the Frenchman had a long-term unimpeded pathway to the first-team for the first time.

The 25-year-old already featured heavily in his first season – eventually totalling 20 Premier League appearances – but inspired by a first goal in the FA Cup versus West Ham, he was hitting stride.

His leg fracture saw Nathan Redmond and Mohammed Salisu deployed in left-back for the final two games of the campaign, and meant Perraud is still now – in October – fighting back to full fitness.

His first Premier League goal, coming again against the Hammers, during Sunday’s 1-1 draw, will be a welcome boost to the defender, who can nail a first-team spot until at least after the World Cup.

“I am happy to help the team because this is my mindset on the pitch, if I can help the team I am happy,” he told the Daily Echo. “Against West Ham again as well, I don’t know if this is a sign!

“It was not easy because I had no pre-season but now game after game I feel comfortable with my body. For me, this is the most important thing because now it is my second game with 90 minutes.

“It is nice to keep going like this but I have to be careful because the Premier League is hard and I must manage my body.”

However, Perraud could not hide his upset at the fact his deflected first-half goal was cancelled out by Declan Rice’s equaliser, as West Ham managed 25 shots towards Gavin Bazunu’s goal.

“I’m very happy to score my first goal but I am a little bit disappointed because we didn’t take three points today,” he added.

“I think we started very well for 30 minutes with a good way of playing and very interesting, but after that we stopped. We took a point and I think it is important for us to keep going like this.”

Saints had dominated the opening third and Che Adams could have put distance between the two sides, seeing two shots saved by Lukasz Fabianski.

“I think a draw is okay because we had a very good first half and very good first 30 minutes but after this the game was very hard,” Perraud said.

“We know this team, they like to play with strong crosses and set pieces and we have to say we let them have possession so it is hard to score another goal.

“A good point today is we didn’t take a goal on set-pieces and this is a good thing, it’s nice for us and we have to work on this.

“We know West Ham is a very good team, they play (Europa) Conference League and have very good players. One point to stop the run I can say is very good for us.”

Saints also lost impressive 20-year-old defender Armel Bella-Kotchap just before half-time; the German dislocating his shoulder and facing further assessment before a specific timescale can be given.

“I am sad for Armel because he is a young player so hopefully it is not too bad,” he said of the young international, who could face as much as eight weeks out.

“After this, it is never easy to come in, replace him and fight but we did this well. To be honest, I am happy with the guys today because everybody tried to fight.”

Saints now face the prospect of travelling to local AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, knowing the Cherries are unbeaten in six since losing 9-0 to Liverpool.

No other club in the Premier League is on such a stretch, and bottom-three Saints already find themselves five points behind the initial favourites for relegation to Championship.

“It’s an important game for us but we have to focus on our way of playing and what we have to do to beat them. It’s a good team, but we will be ready and with this mindset we are on a good way,” Perraud insisted. 

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