SAINTS manager Ivan Juric described outcast Ryan Fraser as "really good" after his return to the squad in the 3-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Fraser, 30, is yet to make an appearance for the new boss and was last in the matchday 20 when West Ham visited St Mary's on Boxing Day.

Injury to Tyler Dibling and the departures of Ben Brereton Diaz and Maxwel Cornet - the latter yet to be made official - have paved the way for Fraser's return.

Juric admitted he is still behind the likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Adam Armstrong but issued a fresh verdict on the Russell Martin favourite.

"I think that Fraser is a really good player. He worked hard. He plays in the same position as Sulemana, like Armstrong. That's what penalised him," he said.

There was no place in the 20 for Adam Lallana, who now boasts 302 Premier League appearances at the age of 36, at the City Ground.

Lallana has made only cameo substitute appearances under Juric, coming on in the final five minutes of four different matches since his arrival.

Juric explained his absence, saying: "I have to make choices and if I put Will Smallbone and then Flynn Downes inside then there's no place for him."

Saints are back in action when they welcome Newcastle United to St Mary's in the Premier League on Saturday, January 25, hunting Juric's first point.

Fraser and Lallana are not assured of squad places but will hope they can impress the Croatian enough in training to work their way to the top of his plans.