Claude Puel has told Saints they need to ensure that their Europa League adventure is not a one-off.

Saints begin their first ever group stage campaign tonight as they welcome Sparta Prague to St Mary’s.

Puel believes that the demands of playing on a Thursday and a Sunday will be a challenge for his squad, but says that the club have to get used to it if they want to progress rather than view this as a one-time task.

He said: “I think it’s not easy for the Europa League because the teams are used to play this game. For example, Sparta Prague play every season the Champions League or the Europa League and it’s important to play this game for good experience for the team.

“For many players it’s the first time and difficult with the emotion of this game.

“Sparta Prague have many chances to play this game every season. These players play every time for a good position in their championship.

“It’s always important to have a good experience and many possibilities.

“For us it will be important for the future to experience this and to play another campaign of the Europa League for next season for example.

“It’s very important to get good experience every time and not just to play in this competition for one season and then two, three, four seasons without - for me and the team and for us.”

Puel has no fresh injuries worries of Sparta’s visit and faces a selection dilemma with an important home match against Swansea in the Premier League just around the corner.

“I think because we are a good squad with many players at the same level I think it’s important two players for every position in the team,” he reflected.

“There are young players of course but it’s very interesting to put together something strong at the beginning of the season and my players take confidence.

“When I say we build a season with a good collective, strong in defence and aggressive and good quality for attack and also with a spirit and to have many possibilities to change the team for injuries, for the succession of games. All of this is very important for the season.”

Sparta are highly experienced in European competition, which will present a different challenge for Saints.

“It’s a very good team with good players,” reckoned Puel. “They play football, they start at the beginning with the ball on the ground and it’s very interesting to play this team.

“I think you have the possibilities to win and to make a good game with good spirit, good collective.

“It’s very interesting for my players to play this game and to answer with a good level.

“I think no problem we will be present for this game with a good spirit and good quality.”

Puel added: “Different teams in the Premier League, some teams attack with possession like Arsenal, for example, some team defend with a strong work like Watford and Sunderland at home. Different games, different teams in the Premier League.

“When we play the Europa League the same.

“The team they like to play because I think the level to play the Europa League is to play football and not just make the ball and have some counter attack.

“It’s important also to play in possession a set attack with good football, and not just wait for good counter attack. This is not possible in the Europa League.”