YAN Valery is enjoying having Cedric Soares back in the Saints camp - but admits he won’t be getting complacent in the starting XI.

After dislodging the Portuguese international in the first-team last December, Valery has made the right wing-back position his own.

But with Cedric returning from his loan spell with Inter Milan in the summer, the 20-year-old is using his presence in training to keep pushing himself forward.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Valery said: “Like last season, I just want to work hard and learn something from every game and from every player in the dressing room.

“I want to progress and improve my football.

“He [Cedric] makes me work hard. Even if I am already working hard, it makes me work even harder.

“He is an experienced player, so I can learn from him. It’s been really good.

“Even if he wasn’t there, I would be working just as hard.”

Much has been said regarding Saints’ defensive displays in their opening two Premier League matches.

They were battered by Burnley during a 12-minute spell that saw them lose their focus and concede three goals.

There was a distinct improvement against Liverpool, but on the stroke of half time, Jan Bednarek allowed Sadio Mane the freedom to curl a shot into the top corner.

Polish international Bennarek was also at fault for the second as he lost the ball just outside the Saints box which allowed Roberto Firmino to slot home.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen to deploy a 4-2-2-2 formation, but, at the moment, is having to deploy three central defenders to try and remain tight at the back.

When questioned about Saints’ defensive work, Valery responded: “We have been working on a lot of pressing and dealing with long balls. 

“It’s not only the defenders, but the attacking players have also had to work on pressing on the ball as well.

“If the coach says we play four at the back then that’s fine and if he says we will play five then that’s also fine. It doesn’t bother me.”

With Saints pointless from their opening two games, Valery thinks they can be full of optimism going into the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

“We are confident. You can see when we were losing 2-0 that we didn’t stop fighting and we will do that all season.”