SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has outlined the importance of next season for Michael Obafemi.

The striker missed chunks of the previous campaign through two hamstring injuries.

And after having his professionalism questioned by Hasenhuttl in January, the Saints chief wants to see more of him on the pitch.

Speaking at a fans' forum, the Austrian said: "Michael knows it is an important time now for him in his career because after two big injuries, if he doesn’t understand what it is about for his body – he has a special body – what it is about to live as a professional, to eat as a professional, to train, and prepare, and recover after training sessions.

"If he doesn’t understand after these two big injuries that he has to change something, then I cannot help him anymore.

"He has a very special body. He is unbelievably quick, and that means he is like a Formula 1 racing car; he needs the best fuel, the best service, and from everybody, he needs the best, and then he can help you.

"If we don’t treat him like that, it’s more in the garage than on the track. And I like him on the track because then he can help us."