SAINTS manager Russell Martin insisted it would "not be beneficial" to the club or academy youngsters to throw them into the team now.

Defender Jayden Meghoma, 17, and Tyler Dibling, 18, were both named on the bench for the 5-0 defeat at Leicester on Tuesday. 

While Sam Amo-Ameyaw, 17, has not been in the Championship squad since February but made three appearances at the start of the season.

Saints host Stoke City in a fixture that looks unlikely to be definitive for their season, with a fourth-place finish most likely. 

Martin, however, insists other senior players in the squad need minutes first and ruled out starts for the youngsters. 

He told the Daily Echo: "They have not had many minutes at all this season so to throw them in now?

Daily Echo: Saints manager Russell Martin was honest when asked about the youngster's chancesSaints manager Russell Martin was honest when asked about the youngster's chances (Image: Southampton FC)

"They have probably had more minutes than most kids their age actually because they're really talented.

"But we would be trying to get them ready for games of such big magnitude and it's probably not beneficial to them or us right now. 

"I think we have far too many players on the bench who are super-talented and haven't played many minutes.

"There might be some people who get a few minutes to try and prove their case to get into the team. They're excellent players, but not yet." 

Amo-Ameyaw played 76 league minutes this season, ranking him 26th in the division for most minutes played by an under-18. 

Leeds United's Archie Gray and Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham, both 17 years old still, lead the Championship with nearly 3,500 minutes.

Saints under-21s have a crucial final day of the Premier League 2 season at Staplewood on Monday, April 29 (12pm).

They need a draw to guarantee a top-16 finish and entry into the playoffs, with Aston Villa able to leapfrog them in the evening if they slip up.