Russell Martin gives insight to Yukinari Sugawara at Southampton: Overcoming Challenges & Making Impacts!

The 24 year old joined Southampton from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar for around £6million upon their promotion to the Premier League. Sugawara has featured in 10 of Southampton's 11 league games this season - scoring once (against Brentford) and providing an assist (against Everton). The full-back ranks third for shot-creating actions at Saints - behind Tyler Dibling and Will Smallbone - and top for dribblers tackled.  Martin explained the injury Sugawara suffered against Leicester is the only thing that has disrupted the Japanese international's season. The former AZ full-back has not started any of the last three league games with Martin revealing that knock, and his lack of minutes with Japan, hurt his "energy" levels. Yukinari Sugawara scored his first Saints goal at Brentford (Image: PA) He explained: "I think he's been outstanding. He has adapted to a different culture and different environment. "He did not have his family here for the first couple of months as well and the way that he just dealt with that was impressive. "They have come over now so Yuki is smiling - he smiles a lot anyway. I think he's been fantastic.  "The only thing that sort of disrupted his season a little bit was he took a knock against Leicester just after the international break. "With the amount of travelling he does (to play for Japan), he went away and didn't play, which makes it really difficult to come back with freshness and energy. READ MORE: Sugawara: 'I love the Southampton fans, I hope they love me back more' "I think he's been amazing, he's going to be a brilliant player for us. He's ready for the Premier League and he's done great for us. "He's been so unlucky not to start but he came on and made a big impact (against Everton), so now he needs to continue doing that." Sugawara has once again been called up by Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China. He has gone unused in Japan's last four games with Freiburg's Ritsu Doan preferred down the right side.