NATHAN Jones launched a defence of young goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu after his errors helped result in a 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion win on Boxing Day.

The 20-year-old summer signing will not enjoy watching back his effort for Adam Lallana’s tame, central header, or Pervis Estupinan’s low cross that evaded him.

Bazunu had also been called into question for flapping at Lincoln City’s opener during the eventual 2-1 win over the League One opposition midweek.

Jones has revealed that Alex McCarthy was ruled out for the Premier League’s return due to a rolled ankle, but refused to speculate if he would have been involved.

“That’s something that we’ll keep in-house,” he responded when asked, before adding: “But Gav is a fantastic prospect and has had one or two tough moments in recent weeks, but he is a fantastic goalkeeper.

“Alex rolled his ankle the other day in training and this means he is unavailable, so there are not the choices I’d like. But I’m not going to come in and chastise Gav, he made a really good save (versus Brighton) and one or two good saves at Liverpool.

“Gav’s a fantastic keeper, it’s just putting everything together for him,” he insisted.

Republic of Ireland international Bazunu was impressive for Saints during his opening matches after signing from Manchester City to replace Fraser Forster.

McCarthy played in each of the first two EFL Cup matches of the season, but Bazunu has played every minute of the Premier League season.

His first clean sheet in the top flight came during a 1-0 win at AFC Bournemouth in October, under former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

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