Ronald Koeman has been delighted by the form of Fraser Forster after a 10 month lay off due to injury.
Initial concerns that a torn knee tendon could threaten his career have been discounted with the former Celtic keeper returning to action better than ever, which has been a real bonus.
Five clean sheets- including one away to Arsenal- have helped lift Southampton into seventh place ahead of Liverpool and Everton have put Forster back in contention for England’s Euro 2016 squad.
“If the player is out for nine or 10 months then you are not sure how they will come back or you are not sure if they will go straight in at that level,” Koeman said. “But it has surprised me, that he was out for a long time from the start.
“It is a great credit to the player and the medical staff because the player came back in full condition.”
Southampton travel to Swansea today with Koeman looking to build on last week’s win over West Ham despite being reduced to ten men after Victor Wanyama was sent off.
“The whole team needs to work hard and the whole team needs to do good pressing,” the Dutchman added. “We had fantastic organisation against West Ham because West Ham didn’t create any chances.”
After playing together at Celtic during the 2013/14 season Forster has picked up on his relationship with Virgil van Dijk.
Wanyama will miss today’s trip to Wales through suspension but won’t be punished by Koeman despite picking up three red cards this season.