Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu has to wait till October to have his Premier League debut at new club Southampton, says coach Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The centre-back joined the Saints from Spanish side Real Valladolid in August for a reported 20million pounds fee.
Salisu is yet to feature for the side who have already played two games this season, losing to Crystal Palace and Brentford in the EFL Cup.
“It may take a few more weeks, maybe [to break into the starting set-up].
After the next international break [in October], I hope to have him in the first eleven. He has good drive and is a very ambitious guy,” Hasenhuttl told Hampshire Live.
“He is working hard on his fitness at the moment after a long break from injury and there are a few issues we must work on but you can see his physicality.
“He will not be a short-term project, he will be more of a long-term project. Therefore I think he was a fantastic transfer.
Southampton’s first game after the international break will be against Chelsea FC at the Stamford Bridge, where Salisu could make his very first appearance.
