Jake Hesketh has admitted that he has been surprised by his progress at Southampton after making his Premier League debut in Monday's loss to Manchester United.

The 18-year-old, who came off the bench for the Saints in the second half at St Mary's Stadium, revealed that it has been a struggle to accept his rise through the ranks at the club.

"At the start of the year I was playing youth football and now I've made my debut against United in the Premiership," Hesketh told the Southern Daily Echo.

"When the season started my main goal was to cement a place in the under-21s. I did that, then got a few sessions with the first team. It's gone quite quick.

"I'm really proud, it hasn't sunk in yet."

Hesketh could be involved again when Southampton travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday.