Charlie Austin’s hot form came to an end at Leicester but Claude Puel saw positive signs for the future.

Austin was one of four players left at home for the Europa League tie at Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Thursday night to keep them fresh for the trip to Leicester.

He was straight back into the side to face the Foxes on the back of five goals in his previous four matches.

Austin had several chances, the best of them when he found himself one-on-one with Kasper Schmeichel and attempted to chip the Leicester keeper believing he was going to ground, only for the stopper to stand tall and save the shot.

Puel said: “The solution of course it’s easy to see but it was on the ground and he choose another solution and it’s a shame because this goal to exploit another chance was deserved by my players.

“All the time when we have the ball on the ground and to play and progress all the play and it’s very interesting.

“All the time my players improve and this is important for the future.

“At this moment it’s disappointment with this result and you can see today it.”

He added: “It was a difficult situation and I believe more the good situation of the second half against the goalkeeper.

“I believe it was ok, but it’s a shame because we have the solution to finish and perhaps take three points, but it’s important to stay with a good feeling and the possibility to do a good play and to do this performance away.

“This is very interesting, but of course I remember the other situation and it’s difficult to accept this, but it’s important to take one point and to show for the confidence all the possibilities we can have.”

One of Saints’ best performers was defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu, who has been an ever present in the Premier League and the Europa League so far in this campaign.

“He doesn’t play just well in this game, since the beginning of the season has been good play for him for the defence,” said Puel.

“Every game he can play a fantastic game because the quality is an excellent player and he can recover the ball and it’s very important for us because he gives a structure for the team.

“It’s very interesting with the ball and without the ball in front of the defence.

“It’s a very good character, a very good player, who works every time in the training session.

“I like this player but I like all my players. They play with inspiration every time and they give all and listen also to develop their game and this is important for the future.”