Claude Puel is confident he can get a positive result in Saints’ first Europa League group stage away tie despite leaving a host of his star names at home, writes ADAM LEITCH IN ISRAEL.

Goalscoring hero Charlie Austin, captain Jose Fonte, left back Ryan Bertrand and creative midfielder Steven Davis were all ordered to keep training at Staplewood as the rest of the squad made the five hour flight to Israel.

Puel wants to keep the four key men fresh and ready for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leicester, allowing him to bring some fresh blood in for the game at the King Power stadium who are not exhausted from this gruelling trip to face Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

He said: “Yes, players stay at home because I think with the travel many players don’t have recovery for the game of Leicester and it’s important to consider this game and also to stay a good result every time.

“This is the management of the squad and is important for us.

“Some players I think if they play this game they cannot play two days after for Leicester.

“It’s a choice for me and it’s important to respect every time different possibilities for the squad and I think we can see with the games before many players improve and make progress because they have time in games and take confidence and I think all the players, all the squad take confidence with the system, with this philosophy, and I think it’s important to continue this work.

“All the players are ready to play and with a good energy and for me it’s very important.

“For example, we have to play against Leicester on Sunday just two days after this game and Leicester have five days to recover.

“This is management and important for the Europa League and I think we have a chance to have a good team, a good squad with good young players and I think all the players make progress and improve since the beginning of the season.

“It’s important if we want for the future to continue in all the competitions to have a good squad and this is important for me.”

Puel insisted there was an understanding reaction from the players left behind, even though they may have wanted to be involved in a first away Europa League group stage match for the club.

“The reaction is a normal reaction because all the players understand the philosophy every time and five games before you change all the time the start of the team,” said Puel.

“Against Crystal Palace for example and three days after again against Swansea I make changes on the team. It’s a lot but I think all the players understand the philosophy and international players also because they don’t stop every time, they play many many games.

“They go on an international break also with many international games and it’s important to keep all the players with a good freshness and stay with a good result and a good performance.

“We can see all the time our game and our play, every time a good squad, a good team on the pitch and this is the most important.”