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Cape Town - Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Che Adams is improving although the striker is still yet to score for his new club.
Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Che Adams is showing signs of improvement despite the striker still searching for his first goal at Southampton
Former England youth international Adams was a big money signing for Southampton during the summer, as he joined from Championship outfit Birmingham for a reported £15million.
There was plenty of expectation surrounding Adams upon his arrival at St Mary's Stadium, as he netted 22 goals in the Championship last season, with Saints supporters hoping the 23-year-old could solve their own goalscoring problems, as no Southampton player has reached double figures in the Premier League since 2016.
However, things have not worked out for Adams just yet, as the former Sheffield United star is yet to score for his new club and has recently lost his place to Danny Ings in the starting line-up.
Ings has seized his chance in the first team, scoring five goals in his last four appearances across all competitions, including a strike in each of his last three Premier League games.
Hasenhuttl admits the form of Ings has restricted Adams' chances of late, but the Austrian has been impressed by his goal-shy forward's form in training and he feels it is only a matter of time before he breaks his Premier League duck.
"What I can see is that, at the moment, he (Adams) is more comfortable in the [training] sessions as he scores more," Hasenhuttl told reporters.
"He works hard and shows that he can be a help for us, but at the moment, it is difficult for him to come back in the team because Danny always scores and when we play him as a central striker there is only one position.
"But I think he is now in a better way, waiting for a chance, and when he gets that chance, I am sure he will grab it with both hands."
Adams is likely to have to make do with a place on the bench once again when Southampton entertain in-form Leicester in their next Premier League match on Friday.
The Saints will head into that contest sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone, although they did end a three-game losing streak by drawing 1-1 at Wolves last time out.
