Dejan Lovren thanks Gary Neville for praise

Southampton defender Dejan Lovren has thanked Gary Neville for the praise that the former Manchester United defender recently bestowed on him.

When asked on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football who was the summer signing that had impressed him the most this season, Neville identified the Croatian international. He then went on to include the 24-year-old among his best 11 players of the season so far.

Having learned of Neville's viewpoint, Lovren tweeted the England coach to say: "Thank you for nice words, I appreciate it very much."

Lovren was also named in Sports Mole's Team of the Season to date.