Claude Puel is looking forward to an “exciting moment” when he starts his Saints career proper against Watford.

The new manager is gearing up for his first Premier League game in charge of the club at St Mary’s after his summer appointment.

There is much anticipation amongst the fans after what has been a successful few seasons, and Puel said: “It’s an exciting moment. I think the same for the players.

“The first game of the season is always a special day.

“It’s important at the beginning, for the start of the season, to stay with a good concentration about our play with all the details we can work on in the training.

“After I know it’s important for the players, for the club, for the fans.

“When this first game is finished it is another game, no more.”

The big challenge for Puel is over whether to pick Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares with the pair having only had 45 minutes each in pre-season after an extended break following their Euro 2016 success.

Ryan Bertrand is injured for this game. Perhaps I hope he can play the next game but for now it will be not possible,” reported Puel.

“After also other players have the possibility to participate without problems.

“For every player there is degrees of fitness for the game like Soares and Jose. They come back two weeks ago and we will see if they can participate for the game.”