Southampton centre-back Mohammed Salisu has recently been linked with a loan move back to Real Valladolid but Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested that he will be staying with the South Coast club, something that the Austrian should reconsider.

What's the word?

According to a report by GhanaWeb, via Hampshire Live, the 21-year-old has been linked with a loan move back to Real Valladolid, having joined Southampton from the Spanish side during the summer.

However, Hasenhuttl has seemingly rubbished these rumours, reiterating that the Ghanaian is the 'future' of Southampton, saying:

“He has so much potential and I think it was important for me, as I said, to not bring him in because the team is not really settled and it would be too difficult I think.

“But at the moment we are calm, I am happy he’s here and he shows with every session that he can help us.

“Sali is the future at this club and this will take time."

Hasenhuttl U-turn?

Whilst the young centre-back might be seen as the future of the club, he is yet to make a single appearance for the club since joining, as he struggles with fitness and injury issues.

Salisu was ruled out of the game against Liverpool recently after picking up a muscle injury, so it doesn't appear that he will be making his first appearance in a Saints shirt any time soon.

It had seemed as if he might get his chance when Jannik Vestergaard was injured in December but since Jack Stephens has come in, Hasenhuttl's side haven't conceded a goal.

Saturday's planned game with Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup had seemed the ideal time for Salisu to start before his injury, so perhaps when that game is rearranged after being called off due to the current viral outbreak, we will see the Ghanaian finally get his chance.

However, it seems clear that on current form, Salisu is not going to be starting Premier League games for Hasenhuttl's side this season and with Vestergaard potentially set to return in late January, he will surely fall further down the pecking order.

Therefore, even though Hasenhuttl has suggested that he won't be leaving, the South Coast club should definitely consider loaning him out this month, as it can't be helping his potential or his confidence being sat on the bench at the very best every week for Southampton.

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