Ronald Koeman has warned want away midfielder Victor Wanyama that he is “playing with his own future” if he continues to demand a move to Tottenham.

The Kenyan midfielder had recovered from a stomach infection in time to figure for Saints against Norwich yesterday, but was left out of the squad after asking to leave St Mary’s before the close of the transfer window.

Former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino wants to take Wanyama to White Hart Lane, and the player has made it clear to Saints that he wants to leave the club.

Koeman has responded by telling Wanyama that he is not for sale.

He also issued the combative midfielder with a stark warning about his career if he chooses to continue his current stance.

“Victor is a very important player, one of the key players,” said Koeman.

“After losing again for this season some good players it was the same statement what we did to Morgan (Schneiderlin) last year and no changing. Nothing.

“We need that commitment from the players.

“If Victor showed his commitment to the team, if he is coming back how we like to have Victor in the team is no problem.

“If he keeps going like this then he is playing with his own future and that’s not good.”

Koeman confirmed that Wanyama informed Saints of his desire to leave in a meeting and also told them he was not mentally in a place that he felt he could start against Norwich, which his teammates went on to win 3-0 without him.

“It’s a difficult situation because Victor mentioned by himself that he is not with his mind to the team,” explained Koeman.

“He did the training last Friday and of course today it was also so important to play with players that are really committed to the team and really focussed on today.

“The situation of Victor is that he has lost some focus to the team, to the club, and that was the reason what I took finally to keep him out of the squad today.”

When asked directly if Wanyama had requested to leave Koeman confirmed: “Yes, we had a meeting and that’s true.

“It’s the same question what it was for Sadio and for every player in this team. Nobody is for sale, and that’s an easy answer and the player has to accept that.

“Maybe it’s good for Victor to talk to Morgan because I think he’s more happy now than he was last year even than to do the move what he wanted at that moment.”

He added: “It’ not about the move or the money, it’s about the feel on this moment.

“Schneiderlin’s situation was still in the pre-season, this situation is in the final last week of the transfer window and that makes a difference, but not a difference in between our statement.

“That’s the same statement as between Les Reed, the chairman and the club.

“We like to grow, we like to keep the best players.

“Of course is there a player who has one year contract left or finishes his contract then that situation is totally different.

“Victor Wanyama has two years more contract. Come on, come on.”

With the transfer window closing at 6pm on Tuesday night, Saints are focussing on trying to recruit another player, believed to be Celtic centre half Virgil van Dijk, rather than losing anybody else.

Koeman was full of praise for Sadio Mane, a target for Manchester United, who put in an excellent display against Norwich.

“He showed what we like from every player because this is the club where he plays for,” said Koeman.

“Everybody has his own things in the future, but there is the commitment what we like for every player.”