Southampton boss labels 22-year-old Sport Republic signing ‘very important player’ for his team

Matsuki, who turns 23 in April, agreed a deal to join Saints nearly two years ago, ahead of their return to the Premier League under Russell Martin.

The FC Tokyo prospect was immediately loaned to sister club Goztepe for the season, where he registered six goals and five assists in 34 appearances.

Matsuki did not start a Championship match for the first half of this campaign, before he got the nod at home to Millwall on New Year’s Day.

The Japanese ace has since started five of the last six, including the win at league leaders Coventry City, where he netted his fifth Saints goal.

Asked about the midfielder, who has been playing on the right, Eckert said: “He’s in good form. He’s full of confidence at the moment.

“I think he has an unbelievable left foot. Very good quality. In defence, commitment in the way he applies himself defensively to help the team.

“He can play outside, and he can come inside on the pitch, so I think he’s a very big and important player for us.”

Some supporters have commented on the fact that Matsuki, who made 71 appearances in the J-League as a teenager, seems to have bulked up.

Eckert points to his encounter with a six-foot four-inch Millwall defender, as reason to believe that Matsuki is comfortable getting physical in England.

“It’s a good question,” responded Eckert. “I would need to ask strength and conditioning for his body composition. I can’t tell you that.

“But I’ve seen him up against Jake Cooper when we played Millwall, and he didn’t manage to push him off the ball. Strength is not one of his problems.”

Matsuki is unavailable for the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, up next on Saturday, April 4, for accumulating two yellow cards in the competition.