CHARLIE Austin has been backed by Claude Puel to continue his hot goalscoring form for Saints at West Ham in the Premier League tomorrow, and in turn prove his Hammers doubters wrong.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan once claimed that he’d dismissed the prospect of signing Austin because of long-term fitness doubts.

Sullivan stated that the striker had no ligaments in his right knee, which Austin, then at QPR, called an “outrageous slur”.

The 67-year-old businessman later said that Austin is a player that he has “always greatly admired”, adding that Saints got “fantastic value” after they signed him for £4m in January from QPR.

Now the Saints frontman has hit a rich vein of form just in time for their Premier League trip to the London Stadium.

The 27-year-old has netted four goals in three matches for Saints and says that he’s gunning for more.

St Mary’s chief Puel knows the qualities Austin has, but also backed his other attacking players.

Shane Long is yet to score this season, but Puel has said that the Republic of Ireland international has been unlucky, and added that he holds faith in Nathan Redmond as a striker after a few missed chances.

“Charlie’s goals are important because it’s important to score when you get the chances in a game,” he said. “But all the players are important.

“Shane (Long) for example he has been playing well with intensity. He hasn’t scored, but has been unlucky, so I’m happy for his work.

“Redmond can also take confidence because he’s a very good player, a good striker. In training sessions in can make fantastic goals.

“Step by step you can make progress for the future.

“Charlie and all the players are improving. It’s still the beginning of the season, so we are still building for the future.”

Puel added that the players are fully aware of who is on penalty in each game after Austin and Dusan Tadic battled for the responsibility against Sparta Prague last week.

“Before every game now they know the first player for the penalty,” he said. “But perhaps Charlie, perhaps Tadic or a different player, like Davis, can shoot also.

“Many players can take the ball and score the penalties but Charlie scores this (against Sparta) penalty perhaps it gave him some confidence for the future.”

Saints are heading into a gruelling week of three away trips, with tomorrow’s league game at West Ham followed by Thursday’s match in Israel against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their second Europa League group stage game, before travelling to reigning champions Leicester City next Sunday.

“Three games away is interesting,” said Puel. “It’s a very good challenge for my players to show we have the ability to stay strong with a good level and good results.

“I think the most difficult with physical energy is to play in Israel. After two-and-a-half days to play Leicester, which is very difficult. It’s important to stay concentrated on West Ham. This team needs points but us also.”