Southampton's Sofiane Boufal facing month out, says Claude Puel
Thursday 8 September 2016 17:18, UK
Sofiane Boufal may have to wait up to a month to make his Southampton debut, but Fraser Forster should return to face Arsenal on Saturday, says manager Claude Puel.
Southampton signed Boufal from Lille on a five-year deal for a fee understood to be £16m, according to Sky sources, but the Morocco international arrived with a knee injury he sustained in May.
The 22-year-old forward, who scored 11 times for Lille and added five assists last season, is expected to take around a month to return to full fitness and will miss this weekend's game against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Puel said: "Boufal has a little injury for the moment. He worked very well, every day, but now it's important he make good work with a strong knee. When he comes back with us he can play at a good level.
"I don't know [when he will be fit]. I think one month or more to get back to a good level."
However, Southampton could be boosted by the return of England goalkeeper Forster for their trip to Arsenal, who was forced to withdraw from Sam Allardyce's first squad as national team manager with an arm injury and was replaced by club team-mate Alex McCarthy.
"I think he (Forster) will be okay," said Puel. "It's also interesting to see Alex McCarthy in the England team. We have two very good goalkeepers - it is important for Southampton."
Puel, who had previously only managed in French football before taking over from Ronald Koeman as Southampton boss this summer, is excited by the prospect of coming up against compatriot Arsene Wenger this weekend.
"It is the first time we can play one against one," said Puel. "I haven't met him in an international game or the Champions League for example.
"It is the first time we can see a game with this situation but it's a pleasure of course. I think he's fantastic - Arsene is an example for all.
"Twenty, I don't know how many, years he has stayed at Arsenal with fantastic results. He played every season in the Champions League."
Southampton will be looking for their first Premier League win of the season when they head to the Emirates, while Arsenal recorded their first top-flight victory of the campaign when they beat Watford 3-1 last time out.
