Claude Puel has urged his players to pick themselves up after their EFL Cup final defeat and take confidence from the way they played against Manchester United.

There was a sense of upset and despondency around the squad after they came so close to defeating United, only to lose to a late goal at Wembley.

With Saints in midtable and 13 Premier League games left to play, Puel acknowledged the difficulty in trying to refocus his squad, but is hoping they will be buoyed by how they performed against United when they take on Watford on Saturday.

“Of course it was a big disappointment because it was a strong game, a good game for us, with quality and character. We had all the good ingredients for the final without a good result,” said Puel.

“The support of the fans was fantastic also. All was perfect, just a bad result.

“After the first disappointment I think stay the satisfaction to see our performance which showed the quality we can put on the pitch and what we can do against a great team. This is important for the future and the confidence.”

Puel confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road and added: “It’s a good moment to come back on the Premier League with a good spirit, a good attitude.

“I want to see my players with the same level and same quality. Our performance showed what we can do and the progress we can do since the beginning of the season with the solidity, the quality on the pitch, we find a good clinical.

“All this is important now to make clear I think.”