Claude Puel will be reasonably happy with his first three months in English football, having taken over at Southampton in the summer.

The Frenchman replaced the Everton-bound Ronald Koeman in the off season and, although he didn’t win any of his first four league games, his Saints side have recovered to sit tenth in the Premier League after 11 matches.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

This is in part down to a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which included league wins over Swansea, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, as well as a Europa League success over Sparta Prague.

Although they have lost their last two league games against Chelsea and Hull, Puel’s side are well placed to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League following a sensational 2-1 win over Inter Milan a fortnight ago, a result that leaves them second in the group with just two games left.

Nevertheless, international football took over from domestic football this fortnight, and numerous Southampton players were called up to their national sides for important World Cup qualifiers, but who performed the best?

Here are THREE Southampton players that starred for their nation over this fortnight…

Jack Stephens

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Southampton’s Jack Stephens had a decent international break.

The 22-year-old, who has only appeared once for the Saints this season, scored the winning goal with the last kick of the game as the England Under-21s beat Italy 3-2 in a thrilling match at St Mary’s, which of course is Stephens’ home ground.

In a team that also included Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse, there’s a strong Southampton contingent that interim boss Aidy Boothroyd can call upon.

Maya Yoshida

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Maya Yoshida was part of the Japan team that won the Kirin Challenge Cup over the international break after their 4-0 win over Oman in the final.

The Saints defender also played the full 90 minutes in their World Cup qualifying win over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, a result which sends Japan second in their group and, given that the top two qualify, they are well placed to reach a sixth successive World Cup finals.

Steven Davis

Photo: Kieran Clarke / Offside

Midfielder Steve Davis was outstanding as Northern Ireland went second in their qualifying group after dispatching Azerbaijan 4-0.

Although the Saints man didn’t get on the scoresheet, he pulled the strings in the middle of the park, and was unlucky not to get a goal late on in the contest.

Nonetheless, the result means Michael O’Neill’s side are the best of the rest in Group C, with leaders Germany already five points clear at the top.