Southampton go into Sunday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth knowing that a win could take them up to seventh in the table.

The Saints have won five and drawn six of their opening 16 games, and picked up a decent point away at ten-man Stoke on Wednesday night.

Claude Puel, who took over from Everton-bound Ronald Koeman in the summer, has made a steady start to life on the South Coast, although he’ll be bitterly disappointed that his side didn’t make it through to the last 32 of the Europa League.

Southampton could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their last group match, and subsequently finished third in their group and missing out on qualification due to away goals.

Nonetheless, Puel’s men are into the semi-finals of the League Cup having beaten Arsenal 2-0 in the last eight, and they’ll hope to reach their second ever final in the competition when they take on Liverpool in the last four next month.

However, some feel that the Saints need a few more reinforcements in January to be competitive in both the league and cup competitions, and with the African Cup of Nations taking place next month, Puel may be tempted by some of Africa’s most talented players.

Thus, here are TWO AFCON stars he should watch out for in the competition…

Medhi Benatia

29-year-old centre-back Medhi Benatia will be one of the most experienced players at next month’s African Cup of Nations, having made 42 appearances for Morocco since his debut in 2008.

The defender is currently on loan at Juventus from German giants Bayern Munich, having signed at the Allianz Arena in 2014, although has since struggled to nail down a regular first team place.

However, Benatia hasn’t featured too readily for the Serie A side either, making just eight starts for the Old Lady this season, his last one coming against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last week.

Juve have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, but given his lack of first team football there, it’s not a done deal that he’ll move to Turin come June.

And, with the futures of Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk up in the air, Puel may need another centre-back to bolster his backline, so he should keep an eye on Benatia’s efforts for Morocco next month.

Thomas Partey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28cL_y8lPxA

Southampton were linked with a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey earlier in the year, and they could be tempted to make a move again in January.

The 23-year-old has been restricted to just six appearances for Diego Simeone’s side this season, only one of which was a start.

The Ghanaian international is clearly not in Simeone’s first team plans at present, and a good stint at the African Cup of Nations with his country may be what Partey needs to force his way back into the manager’s reckoning.

If not though, the Spanish club could be tempted to loan him out, like they have done twice before, and Southampton could be the perfect destination for him to get some much-needed first team action.