Claude Puel says he will decide tomorrow whether Jose Fonte will be considered to face Liverpool.

The Saints skipper was not even in the squad to take on Norwich in the FA Cup third round following the revelation he has asked the club for a transfer.

Though executive director Les Reed confirmed there have been no bids for Fonte yet this month, it remains a difficult situation for Puel to handle.

Puel refused to confirm whether Fonte’s absence at Carrow Road was due to the speculation over his future, but insisted he will assess the situation ahead of the EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Liverpool.

“I will take a decision today or Monday and I will see this will calm,” he said.

“Les Reed can do an interview about the situation of Jose. I have not another comment with this.

“The situation is particular and now we have respect for the possibility for Jose to see something, an opportunity, in this market window.

“It is the way for all the teams during this difficult period and it’s important for us to manage this period the best possible because we have got to play many games on January, and important games with different competitions.”

Puel was asked specifically whether Fonte was left out for reasons of rotation or over his personal situation as he seeks to leave St Mary’s after seven years at the club.

He replied: “I don’t want to give a reason but just to understand the situation in particular with the player about questions about his future.

“It is always difficult for him, for the staff, for all the squad and we will see this in this market window.”

Puel was also asked about speculation linking Saints with a move for Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, mooted in France as a potential replacement for Fonte should he move on this month.

The Saints boss has always been cagey over transfer talk and continued that policy.

He said: “It’s a period of speculation of the market window and it’s the same answer and it’s always a difficult market for all the teams.

“It is not easy to have the good possibilities and of course we stay aware about possibilities and opportunities, but if a player will come to Southampton it’s a player who can do good work and I think a strong level on the squad.

“It is not interesting to take a player just to take a player.

“This is difficult and I prefer to take good concentration about my squad, my players going forward.”