CLAUDE Puel admits it’s “not possible” to pick the same team that produced one of the performances of the season against Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final at Burnley tomorrow.

Tinkerer Puel is uncertain about how many changes he will make at Turf Moor, but is adamant that he will have to swap some players around, despite the temptation of keeping a winning 11 together.

Saints are on a three-game losing streak in the Premier League, but built confidence and momentum with a brilliant 1-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night in the semi-final first leg.

Puel knows that it would be ideal to avoid dismantling a winning formula, but might be drawn into changes.

“To play exactly the same team is not possible for me. I don’t know for the moment if we go to make some more rotation, but it’s important first to see the recovery of the players,” he said.

“Every player is different. It was a strong game against Liverpool with a lot of rhythm because we didn’t have the possession in this game.

“It’s important to see the players if they can recover well. Every player is different. I will make a point tomorrow (Friday), but for the moment I don’t know the rotation.”

Steven Davis has picked up a knock, but should be available for the Clarets match, which is seen as a big chance to try and put breathing space between Saints and the lower mid-table spots.

Puel would ideally have his best team available but, with potentially six games between now and the end of January, the St Mary’s chief is aware he must think long-term.

Saints have three league games, the second leg of their League Cup semi-final at Anfield and progress from the third round FA Cup replay at home to Norwich on Wednesday will mean another game in last weekend of the month.

“It’s important to get a good result from this game and find good stability, but it’s important to see the recovery of every player and the possibility to play another game three days after the last game,” Puel said.

“It’s just not a game three days after, it’s many games for these players. It’s important to see that for me to start this game to have player in good fitness.”

Burnley have the same amount of  home wins as Liverpool and Arsenal so far this campaign and, subsequently, Puel expects a tough challenge.

“It’s difficult to play away to Burnley. It’s a strong and physical team. It will be a different game to the one against Liverpool,” he said.

“Normally we are with the possession, but it’s always difficult to play Burnley at home and it will be important to play with  space and quality.

“This team is dangerous in counterattack and free-kicks. We know all this. It’s important for us to stay focused.

“We need to make a good recovery because it was an intensive game against Liverpool. We will see how the players are fit to start this game.

“We lost three and it’s now important to correct this and to stay focused about our game in the Premier League against Burnley,” he added.

“To have the capacity to play this game against Liverpool is an important thing for the squad’s confidence and we can see a good level.

“It’s now important to keep this level every time to continue this work because we’ve lost many points in the Premier League.

“We have to come back with the same spirit and to give a good answer.”