GOALKEEPER Gavin Bazunu has said that he is confident he can regain his starting spot at Saints as they aim to bounce straight back to the Premier League.

Bazunu played the bulk of Southampton's games before losing his first team position to the more experienced Alex McCarthy at the tail end of last season.

The former Manchester City goalkeeper conceded 56 goals as his new club finished bottom of the league and were relegated to the Championship.

However, the 21 year old hasn't allowed a tough debut season on the South Coast to knock his confidence and remains optimistic ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking to RTÉ the Republic of Ireland international said: “It was a very disappointing season to finish the way we did, but for me on a personal note, it was a very proud season for me to go in and play 30-plus Premier League games.

“I proved to myself that I was able to perform at that level against top-level opposition.

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“It’s [losing your place] just part of the game. You have to brush yourself off, train hard and be ready for the next game, as I was with Ireland. You could see from those games that I was in the right frame of mind to perform to my highest level.”

Bazunu has already spoken to Saints boss Russell Martin ahead of his return to Southampton for pre-season training.

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Whilst his teammates have been at Staplewood preparing for the 2023-24 Championship season, the young shot-stopper has been back at his former club Shamrock Rovers.

He was on hand as the club unveiled The Boot Room – an initiative aimed at promoting the recycling of football boots, with Bazunu himself donating €5,000 (£4,284) worth of boots.

“I’m always proving myself to myself, rather than anyone else,” he added.

“I go out there every day in training, whether I’m playing or not. I’m out there to prove to myself how good I am and hopefully, other people will take note.

“I think we have a very strong squad to challenge to go straight back up, and I’m sure that’s the ambition of the club, to go back up where we belong."