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Claude Puel confirms first-team players will feature for under 23’s

By Chris Hughes

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 8, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 8, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /
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Claude Puel has revealed that a host of first team players will feature against Manchester City under 23’s, in a bid to improve fitness.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Liverpool, under-fire manager Claude Puel has re-affirmed his desire to have senior players feature in tonight’s game against City’s under-23 side.

Last week the Frenchman confirmed that long-term absentees Charlie Austin and Matt Targett would not be rushed back to the first team, with the duo having both been out since last year.

Puel instead suggested that they would feature in the under 23’s final game of the season against Manchester City, something he confirmed earlier today.

He said: “It is the under 23’s last game of the season and Charlie Austin will play his first game against Manchester City today.”

But Puel also went on to discuss that other senior players will get the chance against the Citizens.

He said: “Matt Targett will also play as will Jérémy Pied, Harrison Reed, Sam McQueen, Florin Gardos and Mouez Hassen.

“Many players will play and hopefully it will help some of them to improve their physical fitness. I hope we can see them until the end of the season.”

Nice’s French goalkeeper Mouez Hassen fails a save during the penalty shoot-out of the French Cup round of 64 football match between Nice (OGN) vs Rennes (SRFC) at the ‘Allianz Riviera’ stadium, in Nice, on January 4, 2015. / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Nice’s French goalkeeper Mouez Hassen fails a save during the penalty shoot-out of the French Cup round of 64 football match between Nice (OGN) vs Rennes (SRFC) at the ‘Allianz Riviera’ stadium, in Nice, on January 4, 2015. / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /

Whilst the opportunity tonight will give Austin and Targett the chance to return to fitness, it will also give back-up players a chance to keep up their fitness. Harrison Reed has struggled to feature this season and Sam McQueen is on the mend after a short-term hamstring problem, and tonight provides the perfect setting to impress.

Meanwhile Mouez Hassen will continue to be excluded from the first-team picture – he’s yet to make a senior appearance since his January loan move from Nice.

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Despite Fraser Forster’s dip in form the young keeper hasn’t been given a break by Puel, who signed him from his former club.

Thankfully though for Saints fans the manager – who’s job is reportedly under threat – confirmed that there is no fresh injury updates ahead of two games in four days.

The Southampton squad has been crippled with first-team players getting injured as of late, with Virgil van Dijk and now-fit Manolo Gabbiadini notable names since the turn of the year.

Having as strong a side as is possible is vital if the Saints are to beat Liverpool this Sunday.

The Reds have lost just twice since February and will go into the home fixture full of confidence after Emre Can’s wonderstrike won them the game on Monday.

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