Nathan Wood impressed during Southampton's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. _(Image: Stuart Martin)_
MANAGER Russell Martin reiterated Nathan Wood will be an "excellent addition" for Saints "whether that is in the Championship or the Premier League."
Wood, 22, impressed with his performance against Aston Villa despite Southampton falling to a 1-0 loss, their 12th defeat in 15 Premier League games this season.
An injury to Jan Bednarek and suspension for Taylor Harwood-Bellis saw Wood make his Premier League debut against Chelsea last week and he kept his place at Villa Park.
He made three blocks and cleared off the line to stop Unai Emery's side putting more goals past a toothless Saints.
Martin told the _Daily Echo_: "I think we were chasing and we knew it was going to end up like that because we committed so many men forward.
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Nathan Wood lunges in to tackle Aston Villa's John McGinn _(Image: Jacob King/PA)_ "We had to try something to pin them back and in transition, they're very good because they put in so much effort. They brought in some fresh legs as well.
"Woody defended some big actions on his own and in isolated areas incredibly well. I'm really pleased for him because it's been a frustrating start to his career here.
"He's had to be patient, but I think he's shown all the reasons why he wanted to bring him in. Long term he's going to be an excellent player for this club.
"Whether that is in the Championship or Premier League, whatever it is. He's going to be an excellent addition, as are Matty Fernandes, Tyler Dibling, Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
"They're all so young, the whole team we end up on the pitch with is. We just have to keep trying to grow them and keep making them better."
Wood arrived at Saints this summer from Swansea in a deal worth £3million having worked under Martin in South Wales.