SAINTS manager Nathan Jones has explained the ongoing absence of ‘great character’ Joe Aribo after the Nigerian failed to appear for the third straight game on Saturday against Aston Villa.

After arriving on the South Coast from Rangers in the summer, Aribo started ten of Saints’ first 14 Premier League matches but his minutes have dried up since Jones replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl just before the World Cup.

Aribo has started only once in the league under the former Luton Town boss and he failed to get on the pitch in each of his side’s last three games. He did play 87 minutes of Saints' 2-1 FA Cup win at Crystal Palace but that performance hasn't led to increased opportunities.

But Jones has insisted that the 26-year-old is merely a victim of the numbers in his position and the emergence of James Ward-Prowse as an attacking midfield option.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Jones said: “We've got a lot of midfield players, a lot of people. So we're just trying to find a balance in there where we get the best out of everyone. 

“Joe has been been a little bit of a victim but he’s played well. He came into the game against Crystal Palace the other day and had an impact. 

“We've had a few out, we've had a few people come back in, we've had a lot of games, we've played James Ward-Prowse in an advanced position and he scored goals so that's kind of Joe's position. 

"So he’s been a victim of a few things really but look, we like Joe and Joe trains hard. He's a great character in terms of everything. So it takes time, you know, and as I said, we're in the thick of it now in terms of games so I'm sure Joe will contribute.”

On Saturday, Jones opted to start with Adam Armstrong and Samuel Edozie either side of Che Adams and with Mislav Orsic joining the club at the start of January, competition in Aribo's preferred positions has only increased.

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