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Charlie Austin accepts rotation is Claude Puel's policy at Southampton

Charlie Austin (R) celebrates his goal with team-mate Cedric Soares
Image: Charlie Austin (right) celebrates his goal with Southampton team-mate Cedric Soares

Southampton striker Charlie Austin accepts even three goals in four days are unlikely to exempt him from Claude Puel's policy of rotation.

Austin started Sunday's home game with Swansea on the bench despite a double against Europa League opponents Sparta Prague in midweek.

Puel sent on Austin early in the second half and was rewarded when the substitute scored a 64th-minute winner to give the Saints boss his first Premier League win.

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Highlights from Southampton's 1-0 win over Swansea.

The Frenchman preached the virtues of squad rotation in the build-up to Sunday's game and Austin said: "Like the manager said, we're going to use the squad.

"I was frustrated, of course, because I had scored two and wanted to keep that run going, but we've got a great squad here and they're all fighting for places. The manager wants to play a rotation system and he's the boss.

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"Strikers are credited on goals. Stats don't lie and, for me, I like to be in the box to score goals. But to be honest I should have scored three.

"The win on Thursday gave us a platform and we knew we needed to get a win in the league and we showed a good team spirit."

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