CLAUDE Puel has hailed Saints’ leadership qualities ahead of the League Cup final at Wembley.

The St Mary’s chief has lost two captains this season, with Jose Fonte leaving in January for West Ham and Virgil van Dijk suffering a long-term injury.

Puel isn’t worried, however, with Steven Davis now wearing the armband and numerous other experienced options for the skipper’s position existing within the team.

“We’ve had to change many times the captain,” he said. “It’s difficult for the team because the leadership is always important.

“We started with Jose, we know it was difficult with his position in the club.

“But after it was Virgil, a strong character and personality with quality on the pitch.

“Now he’s got an injury and now Davo [Steven Davis] takes his place with good leadership.

“I think Davo and Romeu, Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand can give good leadership now for the second part of the season.

“It’s important to have many players that can take this important place.

“We’ve had great people and strong characters, like Jose or Virgil, Davo also, but he’s more calm than the others.

“Davo and other players can give good leadership for this team.”

Manolo Gabbiadini has scored three goals in two games since his £14.5m arrival from Napoli in January and Puel believes the Italian’s form has breathed new confidence into the side.

Prior to the 25-year-old’s arrival, Saints were on a miserable run in the Premier League.

“Manolo has played two games and scored, it’s important,” he said. “Many times since the beginning of the season we have done a fantastic job but without a good clinical.

“It was difficult to accept sometimes, but when a player like Gabbiadini scores it gives confidence to the team and the other strikers.

“We saw this for Shane in the last game against Sunderland.

“It’s important to find a good clinical in the game.

“I don’t know how many games we deserved to win with many chances without opportunity for the opponent.”