Southampton boss Claude Puel has declared Oriol Romeu can match the success of Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Romeu is now one of Saints' most influential players, performing in the defensive midfield anchorman role admirably following Victor Wanyama's summer departure to Tottenham.

"I think he's not far off Kante," Puel said at his pre-match press conference. "He is very important for us. He recovers the ball so well and is a technical player.

"If we see the quality of his games since the beginning of the season, N'Golo Kante brings the same qualities as Oriol for us because he's very consistent and in every game he gives good performances, with consistency and quality.

"He's an important player for this team because he can do fantastic work to recover the ball and start the play.

"Without (Kante) for Chelsea it's difficult and the same with Romeu, it's difficult for us without him.

"We will see for the future, we are confident in him and, for me, he can look to getting in the selection with Spain, for example."