Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that Pablo Osvaldo needs time before he fully adapts to the Premier League.

The Italian striker, who joined the club from Roma for £15m in the summer, scored his third goal of the season on Saturday during the Saints' 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

Despite impressing in recent weeks for the South-Coast club, Pochettino is keen to stress that fans should be patient with the 27-year-old before they see the best of him.

"He's a player that's growing. He did very well," Pochettino told the Southern Daily Echo.

"It's not easy to adapt to this league, especially for a player that's coming from abroad.

"He needs time to adapt, he needs patience and he showed that adaptation process is paying off."

Southampton continue their Premier League campaign on Saturday when they make the trip to Newcastle United.