Southampton’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday was just their first home league loss of the season, and second of 2016.

That other defeat was also at the hands of the Blues back in February, and Antonio Conte’s side this time around proved too strong for the Saints once again.

The excellent Eden Hazard and in-form Diego Costa got Chelsea’s goals at St Mary’s, a result which put them within a point of league leaders Manchester City.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

For Southampton, they slip to ninth as a result of Sunday’s loss, but must pick themselves up quickly as they host Inter Milan on Thursday in the Europa League.

The Italian side ended the Saints’ seven-match unbeaten run with a 1-0 win at the San Siro a fortnight ago, a result which blew Group K wide open, given that Inter currently sit bottom of the table.

Nevertheless, with two home games coming up, Southampton fans should be confident of progressing to the knock-out stages of the competition, although they could really do with getting a result at St Mary’s on Thursday.

Puel has chopped and changed his team in Europe this season, in a bid to keep the squad fresh, and could do the same again on Thursday, so here are THREE players he may drop against Inter…

Jordy Clasie

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Record signing Sofiane Boufal replaced Jordy Clasie after an hour against Chelsea on Sunday, and may have done enough in recent weeks to earn himself a start.

The 23-year-old, who cost £16 million in the summer, scored a spectacular goal against Sunderland in the EFL Cup last week, and looked sharp and showed a bit of attacking flair when he came on against the Blues last weekend.

Although Clasie did well on Sunday, Puel may feel that Boufal deserves a start against Inter on Thursday.

Cuco Martina

Photo: Charlotte Wilson / Offside

Cuco Martina was poor against Chelsea on Sunday, and didn’t cover himself in much glory trying to attempt to block Diego Costa’s effort in the second half, the one that resulted in the goal.

It wasn’t just that though, the Southampton right-back struggled to deal with Chelsea’s attacking threat down his side, and was repeatedly out of position. While much credit must go to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, Martina didn’t have a great game for the Saints.

With Cedric Soares still injured, Puel may consider playing Maya Yoshida at right-back against Inter, like he did against Sunderland last week.

Steven Davis

Photo: Kieran Clarke / Offside

Steven Davis hasn’t started a Europa League match this season and, based on his below par display against Chelsea, it’s unlikely that he’ll start against Inter on Thursday.

He let Eden Hazard turn him too easily for Chelsea’s opener, and when Southampton were crying out for something in the final third, he failed to deliver. Although he hit the bar with a fine header, Davis didn’t influence the game in the same way as he normally does.

With Puel likely to make changes on Thursday, Davis could be one that misses out at St Mary’s.