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Southampton left-back Matt Targett has impressed in the club’s previous two matches and proved that he is ready for regular first-team spot, and it means the time has arrived to sell Ryan Bertrand, rated at £18m by Transfermarkt.

What’s the word, then?

Well, even though the 22-year-old defender had racked up more than 40 appearances for the south coast outfit prior to this season, he had never impressed enough to be seen as the first-choice in his position ahead of Bertrand, who is now team captain.

However, the England U21 international showed during a loan spell with Fulham in the second-half of the 2017/18 campaign that he is getting closer to the required standard, and that has only been reinforced in recent weeks.

Having started, impressed and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup, Targett produced another stirring cameo from the substitutes’ bench in the 2-0 success against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend, setting up Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for his team’s second goal.

Why does Hughes have a decision to make?

Reports during the summer suggested that Fulham wanted the 22-year-old on a permanent basis and saw a £15m bid for his services rejected, and now they must keep Targett happy to prevent him wanting to move on.

To do that he will want regular minutes on the pitch, and he certainly deserves the chance to establish himself as Southampton’s first-choice left-back moving forward.

Bertrand may be club captain and relatively popular among the St Mary’s faithful, but he will celebrate his 30th birthday next year and the time may be running out to get the best possible price for the England international.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”290057″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Fixture in Focus England v Spain”]

Saints should sell him while his stock is still reasonably high – and allow him a fresh start after more than 150 appearances for them – as they are now well covered for his departure.