Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has seemingly made it clear Ramsdale is not part of his plans this season, with Daniel Peretz his number one, George Long the second choice and Jamie Jones returning to the club as mainly a training goalkeeper.

“The reality is that Rambo’s story with the football club started before myself,” Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

“We’ve had honest conversations from the first day of pre-season until the very last day of the transfer window.

“The expectations for him are clear to support the team in the best way and he’s been very professional in doing that so far.”

Despite his exclusion so far this season, Ramsdale is said to have a good relationship with Eckert, the coaching staff and the other goalkeepers – and has an affection for the club.

Ramsdale also believes there is a route back into the first team for him at St Mary’s and is willing to fight for his place until at least January, when the winter transfer window opens.

He had offers on the table in the summer to go on loan to clubs in England, Spain and Italy but declined, with his current ambition to try to help Southampton win promotion back to the Premier League and play in the top flight.

As well as being a popular figure in the dressing room and well-liked by Saints supporters, Ramsdale also had personal factors to consider for what would have been a move to a fourth club in four years.

His wife recently gave birth to their second child and the family are settled in the area, with Ramsdale only wanting to change clubs if it was the right opportunity.

Begovic says his former team-mate will be finding his current lack of playing time “very difficult and frustrating”.

“I had a few spells where I was frozen out at a club for a short time but I can’t really relate to Aaron’s situation,” he added.

“I can imagine there will be some factors that are out of his hands. In the meantime he’ll have to make sure that he trains well and stays fit and be ready if an opportunity comes up to play.

“He has to be ready for the long term and if the chance to move elsewhere comes up, he’s ready.

“I’d love to see Aaron playing again and hopefully it happens in January but I’m fully aware that it won’t be a straightforward situation.”