Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says Jack Stephens has toughened up as a defender.
The 27-year-old has played every minute of the season so far for Saints.
Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "When Jack works on his defensive duels and is aggressive there, and nasty, then he is a very good centre-back.
"He is like a leader at the back at the moment, he has really fought for his position and doesn't want to give it away so easily.
"I think at the moment he shows how important he can be for this club and this is what I need, a guy who is good on the ball but also wins his duels.
"This was sometimes the problems with Jack, that he is a little bit too nice, too calm and a little bit too less aggressive, now when he is defending forward he is strong and this is what I demand of the player, and what he needs to do consistently."
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