Southampton will be looking to get their league form back on track when they welcome back former captain Jose Fonte and his new side West Ham on Saturday.

Claude Puel’s side have won just one of their last six Premier League outings, a 3-0 win over champions Leicester, and come into the clash off the back of a Deadline Day loss to Paul Clement’s revived Swansea City.

The Hammers will be looking for a big improvement after their 4-0 drumming at the hands of Manchester City in the week, as well as hoping to avenge a 3-0 loss to the Saints in the reverse fixture.

The Saints’ form will have been troubling their French manager, superb in the EFL Cup and then far from consistent back in the league. Many will point to the excessive rotation from the Saints boss, however, whilst it certainly doesn’t help in terms of consistency, the former Nice boss can hardly be blamed considering the heap of injuries and packed schedule he has had to contend with.

Having played midweek once again, and with a new signing in the squad, fans on the south coast will be expecting changes again, but who will be sacrificed?

Here are THREE players Puel should drop ahead of the West Ham clash…

Nathan Redmond

Summer signing Sofiane Boufal returned from injury off the bench at Swansea and was a shining light on an otherwise drab evening for Saints fans.

Redmond, however, whilst looking encouragingly bright and turned on in recent games, such as the win over Liverpool, managed to make a hash of almost everything in south Wales.

Boufal should be given a chance from the off in his place.

Jordy Clasie

This is less a case of Clasie needing to be dropped, but more a case of his replacement needing to be in the side.

James Ward-Prowse has missed the last two games having picked up a knock in the win at Anfield, despite being perfectly alright to celebrate after. However, he could be in line to return on Saturday and if there is any chance he will be bit, the England U21 captain needs to be in the side.

The 22-year-old played perhaps two of his best games in a Saints shirt against Leicester and then Liverpool, what he needs now is a run in the side.

Dusan Tadic

The Serbian is one of the best players on the pitch, on his day, but is also a player that must be carefully managed.

Josh Sims caused havoc off the bench in the second half against Swansea, and should be given the chance to do the same from the off against the Hammers.

Furthermore, Tadic can be used to devastating effect as a substitute if needs be.