Southampton should give Yan Valery another chance v Cardiff

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Southampton host Cardiff City on Saturday in their next Premier League game and go into the contest five unbeaten in the top flight.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are just two points above the relegation places as it stands and a victory at St Mary’s will help them pull further away from danger.

They need to be on the front foot against 18th-placed Cardiff and that means moving goal threat James Ward-Prowse from the right wing-back role to his preferred midfield position.

Hasenhuttl should trust in emerging young talent Yan Valery to be recalled in the right-back slot and he needs another chance to prove himself in a high pressure scenario.

Valery is beginning to get regular game time under the new manager, but endured a difficult match during Hasenhuttl’s first game in charge.

The 19-year-old got the nod to start away to Cardiff in December, but was substituted off at half-time due to the fact he was on a yellow card and he was also being tormented by winger Josh Murphy.

Southampton’s academy graduate should be given the chance to face his demons against Murphy at the weekend and prove that he’s improved.

The French teenager is a right-sided flyer with good pace and is not afraid to stick his foot in, something which did earn him a red card earlier in the season at Leicester City.

He may still be naive in some of his decision making, but Hasenhuttl is showing good faith in Valery and a recall against Cardiff would be another sign of that.