Manolo Gabbiadini will become the first Saints player to score in his first four games if he can keep his remarkable streak going at Watford today.

The Italian striker, a £14m January signing from Napoli, has been in red hot form since joining Saints, netting five goals in three games, including two at Wembley last time in the League Cup final.

Gabbiadini, who cannot even speak any English, will earn himself a unique place in Saints history if he can achieve the feat at Vicarge Road.

“I hope but he cannot score two goals every game,” joked Puel.

“It’s not just scoring. He’s a good player who plays with quality, we can find him between the lines, good combination between his partners. It’s most important.

“He has a good run and a good move on the boxes and very interesting with his quality and the quality of his runs.

“This is important for us because we find good clinical with him and it will be important for the squad and for all the strikers also as he can give good confidence for the squad.”

Though Gabbiadini’s career history didn’t suggest he would be this prolific, Puel expected him to do well.

“It’s not a surprise - I know his quality,” he insisted.

“But to find the goals so quickly, and good efficiency, perhaps.

“It was an interesting player for us, it was the profile I wanted to play, good technique, control, the pass, the run.

“We can play good football with him, and to score like that is fantastic.

“But not just for Manolo, it’s important for all the team too.

“We can have many games with quality on the pitch, with many chances.

“It’s important to find this, and his experience, his quality can give confidence for the other strikers and players around him.

“It’s important always to find a good solution of course.”

While much has been made of what a good signing Gabbiadini has been for Saints, Puel also believes that Saints have been good for Gabbiadini.

“Perhaps in another team he cannot make the same work. His profile is a good profile for Southampton this season,” said the Saints boss.

“He’s not a player we can give long balls in space and duels with the defenders. It is not possible to play this football with him.

“If we took Manolo it was because it was the good profile to play this game.”

The only other Saints player to have scored in his first three games for the club was loanee Henri Camara in 2004/05.