CLAUDE Puel says that the situation remains the same with captain Jose Fonte.

Fonte has asked to leave Saints and has been told he will not play this month while his future is in doubt.

Puel revealed that the 33-year-old is no nearer the St Mary’s exit door, and the manager has not changed his stance on Fonte's exile from the team.

“The situation for Jose is the same for the moment,” said Puel. “I don’t comment on his possibilities with other clubs, but for the moment we stay with the same consideration about his situation.

“I prefer for Jose to stay out the team, to leave him to give him an opportunity and for us to stay focused on the players available in the team.”

West Ham had reportedly shown an interest in the Portuguese, but Puel dismissed that as speculation.

 “I cannot make a comment about this for the moment, this is speculation,” he said. “It stays between him, clubs and Southampton.”