Jose Fonte’s long wait for a Portugal senior international call could be ended this week.

The centre half has been included by new coach Fernando Santos on a preliminary list of 40 players for the upcoming friendly with France, and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Denmark.

The final squad is expected to be revealed on Friday.

Fonte has never been capped by his country’s senior squad before, having been overlooked by Santos’ predecessor, Paulo Bento, despite his impressive form in the Premier League.

But Bento’s dismissal after a 1-0 home defeat against Albania in Portugal’s opening Euro 2016 qualifier may have opened the door for Saints team captain Fonte, who has enjoyed a superb start to the season.

The 30-year-old, who has helped Saints to the best defensive record in the top flight with only four goals conceded in six games, believes he is capable of playing for his country.

“I play in the Premier League, it’s undoubtedly the best league in the world,” he said.

“I play against the best strikers in the world every week, so if I play against the best in the world every week, and if we do well, and I do well, surely then I can compete at international level.

“So that gives me belief and that gives me hope that one day they will see that and give me a chance.

“So I will keep pushing hard in here, in my team, to keep playing well and hope that call comes one day.”

Fonte, who signed for Saints in January 2010 and has since made 190 appearances in all competitions for the club, has been a rock at the back for Saints this term.

He believes his game has improved over the past 12 months or so.

“I feel good,” he said. “I’ve felt good since last year actually.

“I had a very strong year last season.

“I felt that I was able to make that step into the Premier League after the first year, which is always hard for everyone to get used to it – the speed and the quality.

“But I think I was able to do that and I’ve improved.

“I’ve worked very hard for that as well and I think, since last year, I’ve been in great form, so I just want to keep it up and keep being better and better.

“This is what I’ve been trying to do – just improve my game, watch where I can improve, see the stats, see everything.

“That’s who I am. I’m a perfectionist.

“I just want to be better and prove everyone else who doubts me wrong.”