LEICESTER City boss Claude Puel is backing Saints to beat the drop.

Puel, who is undefeated in his four matches against Saints as Leicester boss, has been impressed with his former club's form under Ralph Hasenhuttl.

“Of course they will,” he said Puel, when asked if he expects Saints to pull clear of relegation trouble.

“They have good ingredients and quality in the team. They have good organisation and mentality and had a good result against Chelsea. They had a good attitude in their last game also and they can continue that way.

“It will be a tough game as they are in form.”

Puel has recalled Harvey Barnes from his loan spell at West Brom as he feels the academy product can add a different dimension to Leicester’s attacking options against Saints tomorrow.

The Foxes boss has been impressed by Barnes during his spell at the Hawthorns, where the 21-year-old contributed nine goals and six assists for the Championship side during the first half of this season.

Barnes returned to his parent club yesterday to train with the rest of the Leicester team.

“He has been brought back for many reasons but the primary reason is because he can help us,” said Puel. “The player has progressed, and I would like to thank West Bromwich and their manager for giving him the opportunities to play.

“It is difficult (for West Brom) to lose a player like this but it is a good moment for him to come back and help his team-mates.

“Harvey can bring different options. He can play on the left side, he can play as a striker and he can play just behind the striker. He is an attacking player and he has penetration.

“He is a clinical player. He can start a move and finish a move. He is a complete player."

Jamie Vardy is expected to be restored to the Leicester starting line up after he was rested for the FA Cup defeat at Newport. But defender Jonny Evans has a broken toe.