Saturday 21 January 2017 13:58, UK
Claude Puel insists he is satisfied with Southampton's central defensive options and feels no urgency to replace Jose Fonte this month.
The manager has also revealed that Fonte's £8m transfer to West Ham could lead to Florin Gardos finally being given a run in the first team.
Southampton host Leicester on Nissan Super Sunday looking to end a run of four consecutive defeats in the Premier League, their worst run since December 2014.
The departure of the 33-year-old Fonte, despite his status as captain, could yet prove a positive given Puel said his squad had found the uncertainty surrounding his future difficult.
Virgil van Dijk and Maya Yoshida are again expected to become the Frenchman's first-choice central defence. Puel, however, also explained Gardos will also be given the chance to add to the 11 appearances he has made in the injury-disrupted two-and-a-half-years since his arrival.
"It's a long time with a lot injuries for Gardos," said Puel of the Romanian. "But he came back for the U23s before (Wednesday's 1-0 defeat of Norwich) with a good level and we will see if we just have Jack (Stephens) and Florin (Gardos) or you might see another player (now Fonte has left).
"Florin comes back in at an interesting level. We know he's had different injuries and we will see in the reflection to see if Florin can participate with the squad at a good level. We will see this.
"It's a strong defence: a strong central defence, with technical (quality) and with good quality in the duels. Sometimes (because of) injury or a player with a red card it's important to consider if it's enough with Jack and Florin to give a solution.
"It's other quality than Jose, but I'm happy with the situation and with Yoshida and Van Dijk."
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