Southampton travel to Sean Dyche’s Burnley on Saturday (3pm kick-off) fresh from an impressive 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Claude Puel’s side went into the game having lost three of their previous four matches, including their last two at St Mary’s, yet Nathan Redmond’s first half goal secured a deserved victory for the hosts, whose only disappointment will be that they didn’t add to their lead.

Nonetheless, they hold the advantage going into the second leg at Anfield in two weeks’ time, but before than Puel’s men have key Premier League clashes against Burnley and Leicester, as well as an FA Cup replay against Norwich, to contend with.

First up is a trip to Turf Moor to face a Burnley side who sit 12th in the Premier League having accumulated 23 points from their first 20 league matches.

22 of those points have come at home – the fifth best record in the division – so it’ll be a very tough test for Puel’s Southampton when they travel there on Saturday.

With three games in the two weeks before their semi-final second leg against Liverpool, Puel will likely rotate his squad against the Clarets, so here are THREE Southampton players who deserve a chance against Burnley on Saturday…

Maya Yoshida

With Jose Fonte having handed in a transfer request, and unlikely to play again for a while, Maya Yoshida should continue deputising at centre-back.

And, based on his excellent display against Liverpool on Wednesday, the Japanese star could be the perfect replacement for the departing captain.

The 28-year-old was superb alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Saints defence, with both men able to keep the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino quiet throughout the 90 minutes.

Puel has decisions to make about his team selection over the coming weeks, but one thing he must try and do is develop the centre-back partnership of Yoshida and van Dijk, as that could be their best one for the remainder of the season.

James Ward-Prowse

Southampton face Burnley, Norwich in an FA Cup replay, and Leicester before their League Cup second leg against Liverpool on January 25, so Puel must keep rotating his midfield options to keep everyone fit and fresh.

Thus, the Frenchman could draft James Ward-Prowse into the side for his eighth Premier League start of the season.

The England Under-21 international has registered two assists in his last four league starts, with the young midfielder setting up Sofiane Boufal’s winner against Middlesbrough on December 11, before his free-kick was met by the head of Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham on December 28.

The Saints will really need his energy against a stubborn Burnley side who have won seven of their 11 home league games this season.

Josh Sims

Since 19-year-old Josh Sims burst onto the scene with a man-of-the-match display against Everton on November 27, he hasn’t started a Premier League game for the Saints.

The young midfielder provided the assist for Charlie Austin’s first minute goal against the Toffees that day, but has since then had to make-do with substitute roles against Crystal Palace and West Brom.

However, Sims did start the 2-2 draw against Norwich in the FA Cup last weekend and looked lively throughout, so he is clearly part of Puel’s plans, and he could get only his second Premier League start against Burnley on Saturday.