NORTHERN Ireland international Shea Charles insists his summer move to Saints has been “huge” in order to play senior football every week.

The 19 year old midfielder picked up his eighth cap and fifth consecutive start in European Championship qualifying as his side were beaten 4-2 at Slovenia.

It was a fourth consecutive defeat for Michael O’Neil’s charges and effectively all but ended their hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament.

Mancunian Charles, however, is still building his portfolio of men’s experience off the back of three starts and five appearances for Saints manager Russell Martin back in England.

The versatile youngster, who can operate as centre-back and right-back, could start next for Leicester City’s visit to St Mary’s having been on the bench for the humbling in Sunderland.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Charles said: “Man City is my boyhood club so it wasn’t easy (to leave) but it was clear that Southampton was the right option for me.

“The manager plays a good style of football and it really suits me so that really attracted me to the club.

“I think the move is huge because I’m playing against men every week which coming into the (international) camp allows me to come in and go straight into the games and be able to play like I like to play.”

Reflecting on the international defeat, he added: “I thought we were good going forward but then when we scored it was like we would then concede straight away.

“It was quite frustrating, we lost any momentum we had so there were positives and negatives to take. It’s a frustrating one because we went with four at the back.

“We’re used to five. We expected to be better going forward which was good but we were maybe a bit more vulnerable and they had two good strikers, so it was tough on that part.”

On his own display, Charles said: “I thought I did alright, I thought I did well, just playing that sitting role (in midfield) which I like and then going to right back in the end.

“I can play in other positions so I thought I did alright. It feels like I’m just part of the team now, it’s a good feeling.”

Northern Ireland travel to Kazakhstan away on Sunday as the second half of the qualifying group begins, with just three points from their opening five fixtures.

Charles said: “I feel like these next few games are about getting all the points we can, to try and push the other teams, and push on from the performance against Slovenia, working on the defending and making sure we secure our back door.”