Southampton stars to face FC Twente in Holland

Puel has yet to have a full squad to choose from in pre-season with those who played at the Euros being given an extended summer break to allow them to have a holiday.

Though Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares will still be missing tonight, the new St Mary’s boss should get the opportunity to have a first look at Shane Long, Steven Davis, Ryan Bertrand and Fraser Forster in action.

Though the Saints medical team will give final advice as to whether they are ready for a first 45 minutes after a week back training, it is expected that they will be able to figure against Twente.

For Puel it is getting increasingly important to start to formulate plans and styles of play as the big kick-off to the Premier League edges ever closer.

After tonight’s game against Twente, Saints return to the training ground for two more days before rounding off the trip to Holland with a match against FC Groningen on Saturday.

They then return home to England with just under a fortnight until they face Watford at St Mary’s on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

They are currently scheduled to have just one further fixture in that time, at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, August 7.

Saints’ medical staff will also assess Dusan Tadic ahead of tonight’s game.

The Serbian was forced to sit out the first game of the tour to Holland – a 4-0 win over PEC Zwolle - after picking up a minor injury in training.

The problem is understood not to be too serious, and Tadic is expected to play on Saturday if the decision is taken not to risk him this evening.

Tadic though, will be understandably keen to try and get a game tonight if he possibly can, with Twente being his former club.

He joined Twente from Saturday’s opponents Groningen for €7.7m in 2012, before spending two successful years there ahead of an £11m move to Saints.

Tadic’s time with Twente was the most prolific of his career in terms of goalscoring, as he netted an impressive 32 times in 85 appearances for the Eredivisie side.

Saints will play tonight’s game at the Q20 Stadium rather than at Twente’s normal home ground De Grolsch Veste.