SAINTS boss Russell Martin has backed Gavin Bazunu to be a "great goalkeeper" after a difficult first season at St Mary's.

The Republic of Ireland international struggled to adjust to the Premier League last season following a highly-anticipated summer move from Manchester City.

He started the first 32 games of the campaign before losing his number-one spot to the more experienced Alex McCarthy as Southampton were relegated to the Championship.

Bazunu recorded the lowest save percentage of all starting goalkeepers in the league – but was one of the youngest players in Europe’s top leagues to play nearly 3000 minutes.

He has since returned to the starting line up since Martin's arrival on the south coast.

When asked at BBC Radio Solent's fan forum if Saints need to sign a new goalkeeper,  Martin insisted: "We don't have a problem with the goalkeeper in my opinion.

"We have a full international who is 21 years old and will take some unbelievable learning from playing in the team that finished bottom of the Premier League last season.

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"That's not easy for a goalkeeper, especially a young goalkeeper. 

"Alex McCarthy is a really experienced number two and Joe Lumley is a really experienced number three. We have great strength in those positions.

"I've been made aware of this narrative around Gav. Last season has happened, you can't impact that.

"If I was looking to sign a goalkeeper, I would want to go and sign Gavin Bazunu for the way that we play.

The former Scotland international continued: "His mentality and the way he trains (is amazing). I said after the game against Norwich that he didn't deserve to concede four goals, it was the guys in front of him. We will learn from that.

"I can only speak from my short time here but Gavin is going to be a great goalkeeper. He is also going to be a huge asset to this club both on the pitch and financially.

"As long as he maintains the standards that he's had over these past six weeks, we will be more than fine.

"He has really capable people pushing him in training to make sure we get the best out of him."