Saints have virtually a clean bill of health for this weekend’s game against Arsenal with Claude Puel’s international stars coming back fit and well.

Saints had 11 players on international duty over the past fortnight, leaving Puel to sweat on their return to Staplewood today.

Happily for Puel they have all returned ready to play, with Fraser Forster also fit after pulling out of the England squad with an arm injury.

Only long term absentee Jeremy Pied is missing for the game at the Emirates on Saturday, while club record signing Sofiane Boufal is continuing to build up his fitness having been out since April with a knee ligament issue.

“I am happy that all the international players of Southampton came back with a good health and a good possibility for this game against Arsenal,” said Puel.

“It’s important for us.”

Puel also confirmed that Ryan Bertrand was fit enough to return to the side to face the Gunners after missing the start of the campaign through injury.

“During this international break he can work well with a good level and I think it is now possible he can start this game,” reported Puel.

“He made progress on the physical level and it’s important to find Ryan with good qualities and with all these possibilities.”

Of Boufal he added: “I think one month more to have a good level.

“He start to come on the training ground with different exercise in the beginning.

“For the future when he comes back with the squad all the people can see Boufal in another way.”