RALPH Hasenhuttl wants Kyle Walker-Peters and Yan Valery to battle it out to play as his right back.

The duo are both competing for the final spot in Hasenhuttl’s defence after Cedric ended his spell at St Mary’s by joining Arsenal in January.

Walker-Peters joined on loan to fill the vacancy but needed time to build his fitness up after playing only a handful of times for Tottenham this season.

Asked who he will pick as his starter, Hasenhuttl said: “Both have a lack of training and games in the last months.

“Both must show up and then we can decide.

“As soon as they are both on a level, they will be able to play in the Premier League.”

Valery has been on the comeback trail after a viral infection has kept him out of action since the end of November.

The Frenchman played an hour for Saints Under-23s last Friday night in their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

And Hasenhuttl explained it will be a while until Valery can play 90 minutes.

Saints' boss added: “He is still improving and getting his fitness back, but he is far away from playing 90 minutes or something like that.

“If you are that long out then it takes time, but we have a break and maybe he can be an option in the next games.”