SAINTS manager Ruben Selles confirmed Mislav Orsic is available for selection following a concussion protocol injury sustained last week.

However, the Spaniard warned that each match he will have to explain why up to five players miss out on his matchday squad due to large numbers in the playing group.

Orsic, 30, completed a high-profile move to St Mary’s from Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb – fresh off scoring in the World Cup third-place playoff.

But the international has failed to hit the ground running in the Premier League, starting just two cup games and making six minutes of league action.

Orsic was one of four players who played B-team football the night before the trip to Brentford, under former boss Nathan Jones.

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Asked by the Daily Echo, Selles said: “Mislav followed the concussion protocol and was back in training on Monday morning, so he completed the training yesterday and today. He is fully selectable for Grimsby.”

Saints host League Two Grimsby Town in the FA Cup fifth round, which could see a fifth Saints appearance for Orsic.

“I’m not going to talk individually about Mislav,” Selles continued. “But I think he is doing a good job as is the rest of the team.

“He is working hard and wants to play in the squad, he is following everything and trying to understand what we propose. In that part, Mislav is doing everything he can to be in the team.

“The problem for me now is that because we have such a big squad we are talking every game about the players we are missing. I don’t think that is the correct way to do it."

He continued: “From now on, everybody is selectable as much as they do their work in the week – Mislav is one of those and is doing that – but we will always have the conversation about why five players are not involved.

“I know Mislav is an international player who has been in the World Cup and he has all my respect, but others like Joe Aribo played in the Europa League final and is an icon for the Rangers fans but hasn’t been in the squad.

“I will try always to respect my boys but the question is when I can because I have the longest squad.”