SAINTS trio Jose Fonte, Dusan Tadic and Matt Targett have been excluded from Claude Puel's 21-man squad for tomorrow night's Europa League trip to Sparta Prague.

Captain Fonte has not played in any of Saints' group stage games so far and continues to be absent in the competition, with Puel leaving him in England because of a foot problem.

Attacking midfielder Tadic, who is recovering from a nose injury he suffered on international duty with Serbia, has also be left at Staplewood and could be out of the Everton match.

“Jose Fonte has pain on his foot after he made a tackle against Liverpool,” he said. “He cannot play tomorrow.

“With Dusan has the problem with his nose. For the moment it is a serious problem.

“I don’t know if for the next game against Everton if he can play. We will see.”

Targett, who has been out injured for a month,  is another to not be selected as he continues to regain fitness after a hamstring injury.

Academy youngster Josh Sims has been handed a place in travelling party after impressing recent matches for Saints' under-23s.

The 19-year-old was watched by Puel in Saints' 4-0 victory Crawley Town in the Checkatrade Trophy recently, in which he assisted all his side's goals in a superb display.

Sims also netted against a vastly experienced Chelsea team, including Cesc Fabregas, John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Michy Batshuayi, for the under-23s on Monday afternoon.

SAINTS SQUAD: Harry Lewis, Fraser Forster, Stuart Taylor, Cuco Martina, Virgil van Dijk, Maya Yoshida, Cedric Soares, Sam McQueen, Jack Stephens, Ryan Bertrand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse, Jordy Clasie, Sofiane Boufal, Steven Davis, Josh Sims, Jay Rodriguez, Nathan Redmond, Shane Long, Charlie Austin.