Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has shed light on why Takumi Minamino was substituted off during yesterday afternoon's defeat to relegation-threatened Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 26-year-old Japan international, who headed to the south coast on loan during the January transfer window, has endured a mixed time of it with the Saints.
After scoring two goals in his first three games - including a stunning effort against Crystal Palace - Minamino has seen a few other Premier League fixtures pass him by.
Coinciding with a testing run of results at his parent club Liverpool - who face a real fight to break into the top-four - things have also been tough-going at St Mary's.
Southampton do have an FA Cup quarter-final to look forward to, but their poor Premier League form has seen Hasenhuttl's side slip into the bottom reaches of the table.
And the Austrian manager reckons that could be a key factor why Minamino, who was replaced shortly after Southampton went 2-1 behind against Brighton, has served up a mixed bag so far.
Speaking to Hampshire Live, Hassenhuttl said: "It is difficult for him now, because the team is not in the best shape.
"He always shows his quality on the ball, but against Brighton he did not have the biggest impact on the game, this is why I chose to substitute him and bring a fresh player on for him."
As the Saints prepare to turn their attentions to the FA Cup, where they face Championship neighbours Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon (12.15pm), cup-tied Minamino will be forced to take a back seat after playing for Liverpool earlier in the competition.
With the international break just around the corner, too, it means the loanee won't feature domestically until at least April 3.
Japan do have fixtures against South Korea and Mongolia before then, but Hasenhuttl has previously stated that he would block the departures of any Southampton player who would be required to self-isolate upon their return to the UK.
He continued: "We must have a look. I am happy he is here. He has scored two important goals for us so far and hopefully, he does that a few more times."
