Southampton captain Jose Fonte has described Sam McQueen as a "very good surprise" following the academy graduate's emergence in the first team.
The 21-year-old winger, who can also play as a full-back, started in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City after making his first start in last week's Europa League match against Inter Milan.
"He's surprised me," Fonte told the club's official website. "He's done really, really well and fully deserves to be in the team now. Well done to him, credit to him for the work he has done. I hope he can keep doing what he is doing.
"He needs to keep improving, because he's been a very good surprise. We need him at the moment, we need to do everything for him to make sure he's comfortable and confident.
"In the end, it's only up to him and he's done really, really well. It's all credit to him."
The Saints currently sit eighth in the Premier League table on 13 points, six behind the top four.
Danielle Joynson
