There is “not a problem” with Jose Fonte, according to Saints boss Claude Puel.

Fonte’s absence from the Europa League decider with Hapoel Be’er Sheva meant the centre half didn’t figure during the club’s entire European campaign.

There is continued speculation over whether Fonte will be sold in January with his contract situation showing few signs of getting resolved.

However, Puel maintains that he is making decisions in the best interest of the team, and not because of any issue surrounding the Portuguese defender.

He said: “I am happy for the game, for example, of Maya Yoshida.

“He can do a strong game, he win all his duels since the beginning of the season every time, every game, is perfect.

“Jose is, ok, a good player but he needs like the other players some games to recovery.

“He is 33, he played like a lot of players in my squad international games and in the Premier League and it’s important to stay all the squad in a good fit.

“It’s not a problem with Fonte. It’s not this.

“He keep the difference for the next game and it’s important to stay for every game the idea clear.

“I think the defence do a good game on Thursday.

“I understand all the people will have a strong disappointment, the fans and all the people in Southampton.

“The disappointment of the investment of all the people in this competition, and we like this competition and we give all for this, but now if we like this competition it’s important to come back and to look forward and to stay with a positive attitude and to go play and win our game now and to come back in the first part of the Premier League.

“This is a good road for us.”

The question over whether Fonte will remain at Saints after the January transfer window is unlikely to die down any time soon, but Puel is sticking to his guns and not discussing it at this stage.

“Now I think it’s important to stay with a strong focus about our game, and not just on one. Not just one player,” he insisted.

“For me it’s not a problem of the player, it’s a collective answer and we can do a lot of games very interesting since the beginning of the season in the Premier League, the European games, in the cup. Sometimes we do very well, sometimes other things.

“It’s important to continue this work and come back with a good spirit, a good reaction and to come back with the intention to go up in the Premier League.

“We want to come back on this competition and to come back is to stay concentrated and focused with the work we have to do.

“This is important.”