ORIOL Romeu was dropped to Saints’ under-23 team - before helping them beat Notts County 7-0 in the Premier League Cup.

The Spaniard was surprisingly left out of Mark Hughes’s matchday squad for the Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester on Tuesday, having not featured in the Premier League since the goalless draw with Newcastle at St Mary’s in October.

Romeu’s outing for the U23s in the humble surroundings of Ilkeston Town FC caps a remarkable downfall for the midfielder, who was one of the first names on the teamsheet under Ronald Koeman, Claude Puel and Mauricio Pellegrino.

The 27-year-old has slipped behind Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Mario Lemina in Hughes’ pecking order.

He was signed by Koeman for £5m from Chelsea in 2015 and has made 129 Saints appearances – but has been restricted to four starts in the Premier League this season.

He nearly scored the first goal for the U23s yesterday, testing Notts goalkeeper Branislav Pindroch with a looping header early on.

Will Smallbone and Tyreke Johnson then struck hat-tricks.

Harry Hamblin got the opener when his low shot rifled into the back of the net in the 23rd minute.

Johnson doubled the lead from close range from Marcus Barnes’ centre and Smallbone latched onto a defence-splitting pass to slot in his first.

Saints U23s are unbeaten in the Premier League Cup group with two victories and a draw.