#PLStories- #KyleWalkerPeters says ‘It’s always great when you know the manager trusts you’ #SAINTSFC

FLYING full-back Kyle Walker-Peters reflected on his first full season with Saints and insisted: “It’s always great when you know the manager trusts you.” The 24-year-old played 10 times for Saints on loan from Tottenham during the second half of the 2019-20 campaign before going on to seal a £12million move to the south coast last summer. Walker-Peters played a key role in Saints’ fortunes under Ralph Hasenhuttl last season, starting 30 times in the Premier League in total. He registered assists against the likes of Fulham and Brighton as well as his old club Spurs, as Hasenhuttl’s men recorded a 15th-placed top-flight finish. Asked how he assessed his first full season at St Mary’s, Edmonton-born Walker-Peters told the Daily Echo: “I think I’ve done well. I think the manager showed a lot of faith in me. “He has played me in the majority of the games, if not all the games when I have been available. “I think I am repaying him and showing his faith and long may it continue. “It’s always great when you know the manager trusts you and shows faith in you - it gives you that confidence and that’s what I’m playing with. “I am playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of freedom. Hopefully, I keep repaying him and keep playing games.” As well as his league appearances, Walker-Peters played a key part in Saints’ journey to the semi-finals of the FA Cup last term. He featured in victories over Arsenal, Wolves and Bournemouth before Hasenhuttl’s men were eventually knocked out by Leicester at Wembley. Saints got a taste of fans being back in stadiums during that last-four encounter, as well as having 8,000 of their own supporters back for their final home game of the season against Leeds. And, providing it is safe to do so, Walker-Peters is eager for bigger attendances when the Premier League kicks off in August. “It’s always nice to have the fans here (at St Mary’s). When you walk out and you hear them singing, it always gives you that extra bit of motivation,” said the defender. “Hopefully more and more can come back.” Walker-Peters has been pictured via social media training in Dubai ahead of the start of the new campaign.