MANAGER Ivan Juric admitted he is "very happy" for Paul Onuachu after the Nigerian scored his first Saints goal in a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Onuachu, 30, came off the bench early in the second half with Southampton already trailing 3-0 following goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood.

Lesley Ugochukwu's long-range effort deflected off Jan Bednarek to pull one back before Onuachu's headed goal set up a grandstand finish at the City Ground.

Onuachu climbed highest in the box to divert Mateus Fernandes' corner past Matz Sels following chants of "If Onuachu scores, we're on the pitch" from the away fans.

Juric was delighted for the former Genk forward after he ended a 718-day wait to score his first Southampton goal.

"There are some players that I like, they have some quality and he has this quality. He's tough, he's a fighter, he's tall with the ability to head," Juric told the Daily Echo.

"He's very good and he will give everything he can. I think he will be very good for us. I'm very happy for him that he scored today."

There was no place on the bench for veteran midfielder Adam Lallana while winger Ryan Fraser returned to the squad, as did Armel Bella-Kotchap.

German defender Bella-Kotchap had been challenged to do more by Juric before joining up with the squad at St George's Park ahead of the trip to the City Ground.

Juric suggested Lallana's omission was not injury related, but rather a consequence of midfield options at the club.

"I have to make choices and if I put Willy (Will Smallbone) and then Flynn (Downes) in the team, there's no place for him," Juric explained about the 36 year old's absence.

"I think that Fraser is a really good player. He works hard. He will play for me in the same position as Sulemana or Armstrong."