RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted he has a tough job on his hands when it comes to keeping his attackers happy.

Saints are well numbered in the offensive department after adding both Moussa Djenepo and Che Adams to their ranks over the summer.

This has already led to Danny Ings, Shane Long, Stuart Armstrong and Sofiane Boufal missing out on places in the starting XI.

Hasenhuttl said: “It [keeping them happy] is never easy but it’s very important to speak with the guys.

“Last week I had a few individual meetings and this week there will always be a decision to take from my side and they are not part of the 18 or the first 11.

“The reaction of the guys who haven’t been in the squad was a fantastic one last week because they showed up during the week and that gave them the chance to come back.

“For example, Stuart was not in the squad against Burnley and then he was against Liverpool and had a good impact on the game when he was coming in.

“These are the kind of decisions that are the hardest decisions you have to take as a manager to tell them ‘sorry, you worked well but you are not part of the group.’

“But you have to do it and they have to deal with it.”

There is a good chance that Boufal, who was left out entirely against Liverpool, will come back into the fold at Brighton this afternoon.

This would mean that someone else is at risk of losing their place in the matchday squad.

And Hasenhuttl will be hoping a player that has to make way will understand, but admitted he can't do a lot about it if they don't.

He added: “It’s important for them that you tell them it’s not always the reason that they were not training good because maybe both guys trained well but I decided one has more quality we need in this game, so it’s sometimes a tactical decision.

“When I speak with them and explain to them I hope they understand it. If not, what can I do?”