Southampton boss Claude Puel will resist any temptation to throw record signing Sofiane Boufal into the starting line-up before he is ready.

The 23-year-old midfielder might be fit enough for a first start in Wednesday's EFL Cup fourth-round clash with Sunderland but Puel is still not convinced.

Puel said: "We will see. Obviously there is recovery with his knee. It was difficult just 20 minutes for him.

"It's important to stay patient with him, to see him come back step by step. He will be an important player for the squad. It's important to keep him with a good physical level and without injury."