SAINTS manager Nathan Jones has explained why Duje Caleta-Car was among four first-team players starting for the B team just 24 hours ahead of a crucial Premier League clash.

The St Mary’s side are set to visit Brentford on Saturday, February 4, needing at least a point to lift them off the bottom of the table.

Some supporters were surprised to see Caleta-Car, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Moussa Djenepo and January signing Mislav Orsic all starting a Premier League Cup knockout match for Dave Horseman.

Playing at Snows Stadium, Caleta-Car completed 45 minutes before he was withdrawn – having been an unused substitute in the EFL Cup semi-final defeat at Newcastle on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Saints FA Cup match to be televised with date and time information set

Asked about the surprise inclusion, Jones responded: "Duje has obviously been playing well but has missed games.

“He missed last week and the last time he played was Newcastle (in the first leg)," he added. "We want him to maintain rhythm because he hasn't had that.”

The inclusions of the remaining three were more expected, with Moussa Djenepo recovering from a head injury suffered in the semi-final’s first leg.

Bella-Kotchap has just come back from injury and looked slightly off the pace in the FA Cup victory over Blackpool last Saturday, while any minutes are a boost for Orsic.

"Then Djenepo was just about minutes, Mislav was just minutes and then Bella-Kotchap is coming back from injury,” Jones confirmed.

“He played against Blackpool but only had two days training and then played in an FA Cup game against a Championship side and did fantastically well. All we want to do now is add minutes."

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