So far this season, deadline day signing Danny Ings has taken most of the plaudits at Southampton, and understandably so.

Ings has netted three goals in six Premier League appearances and, overall, has rejuvenated a very underwhelming Southampton attack.

But as well as the English striker, midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has also impressed during this campaign, a thought echoed by the Denmark head coach.

The Breakdown

In the Denmark national team set up, manager Age Hareide and Hojbjerg have endured a difficult relationship with each other.

However, that has not stopped the 65-year-old from singing the Southampton man's praises, believing he has developed both into a better man and player in recent months.

Speaking to Ekstra Bladet on Hojbjerg (via Sport Witness), Hareide said: "Pierre Emile Højbjerg has managed to act for the team and not just for himself. he’s become a grown boy.

"Even when we had him inside the squad before the World Cup, I could see that he has grown both on and off the pitch.

"The time in Southampton has been a bit turbulent, but now he has recovered. He has added several dimensions to his game. I think he has been in a positive development over a long period of time.

"I really sense he wants to play on the national team, he has also expressed his wish to return."

As alluded to by Hareide, despite arriving at Southampton from Bayern Munich back in 2016 with much expectation, Hojbjerg had not been able to influence matches in a way that supporters would have expected him to.

However, this season, the 23-year-old is starting to impose himself more on games. He scored a fantastic strike last month at St. Mary's in the Saints' 2-2 draw with Brighton, while his passing and dribbling ability has definitely been an asset for the team.

In the south coast, Hojbjerg is finally starting to deliver after all the hype around his name during his time in the Bundesliga, and that will come as a massive boost to manager Mark Hughes and Southampton.