Despite their Europa League humbling, Claude Puel believes his side can qualify for the competition again by aiming for the top six.

The Saints boss is attempting to rally his troops after the disappointment of their group stage exit following the 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Puel is now focussing his attentions on success in the Premier League, as he is keen to ensure Europa League football returns to St Mary’s next season.

He said: “It’s important always to show good ambition.

“We show since the beginning of the season a lot of games very interesting against every team, great teams and all the teams.

“We have I think a good chance if every time we come back with a good spirit, a good level physical and technical. We have good chances to go up and to play something very interesting for the second part of the season. It’s very important.

“Of course, after the disappointment of the elimination it’s always difficult, and this challenge is a very strong challenge to see my players with the good reaction.

“It’s not easy but we learn, we learned on the win and we learn also on the loss. This is very important.”

Saints come into tomorrow’s game at Middlesbrough in desperate need of a reaction to the Europa League shocker.

Puel is at least optimistic that can happen, and that having less games can help Saints improve their top flight form.

“I hope because we learn with all these games,” he said. “It was games with pressure, with a good level, it was a strong group. Inter Milan finished in the fourth place which says the level of this group.

“I think for people it is a disappointment because qualification was in touch and with details, like Inter Milan away.

“We give all our possibilities and perhaps sometimes the play was not enough on the play but on the spirit, the mentality, and often the quality, we were present for this competition.

“We are I think unlucky like Thursday with one shot of the opponent and one goal and the possibility to win with Maya for example with a header in the last second.

“This is football and now it’s important to keep our focus about the Premier League. Very very important.”

As for Boro, Puel added: “I have a lot of respect for this team, for its strengths.

“They play good football with good pressing, good organisation and they can do good work since the beginning of the season for their comeback in the Premier League.

“It will be an interesting game against us because they have good players and all the week to prepare this game and to recovery.

“It’s strong and interesting challenge for us to give a good answer on Sunday against this good team.”