Reed aims for extended Saints role

Harrison Reed has set his sights on more playing time at Southampton after signing a new deal, and insists manager Claude Puel is willing to give everyone a chance.

The 21-year-old midfielder signed a four-and-a-half year deal this week securing his long-term future at St Mary’s, and is now keen to establish himself in the Saints’ first-team squad.

He has had to bide his time so far this season, but with French manager Puel in charge, he believes it’s only a matter of time until he gets his chance.

(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“It’s been great under him,” Reed said. “Since he came in the door it was obvious that he wanted to give everyone an opportunity and that everyone started from a clean slate.

“I really like his training style because there is lots of tactical stuff as well as the technical side of it, which is everything you need to work on.

“It’s been really good and I am enjoying my time here, that’s why I’ve signed a new contract – I am looking forward to pushing on under him.

“My aim now is to get more game time. We are going on a good cup run at the moment, so hopefully if I keep working hard in training I can get in the team for that (EFL Cup) semi-final against Liverpool.

“Hopefully I can also get more minutes in the Premier League, but at the moment I just want to keep working hard so that the manager knows I am ready if he needs me.

“I’ve learned that you never know when your chance is going to come. It could be just around the corner, so you need to always be ready.”