Pellegrino: We will be professional

MAURICIO Pellegrino has insisted Southampton will remain “professional” on welcoming former boss Claude Puel back to St Mary’s with Leicester tonight.

New Saints manager Pellegrino admitted he is unsure how the home fans will respond to Frenchman Puel’s return when he pitches up with the Foxes for the Premier League clash.

But Pellegrino has claimed Southampton will maintain a businesslike approach with the ex-Saints manager, who guided the south coast club to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and the league cup final last term.

“In football, everybody has different opinions,” said Pellegrino (below), when asked if he hoped Puel would receive a warm reception from Southampton’s fans.

“Some people can be more happy with some managers, some players; people like different styles of football.

“When you don’t win, you’re in trouble. And when you lose, people don’t want to hear excuses.

“When you win, you’ve got to go and win again.

“Let me know which manager is admired by the fans when you lose. Not even the most important manager in the world.

“This is part of life, our job. Everyone knows this. And we have to be really professional.”

Olivier Giroud’s late goal denied Saints a win against Arsenal on Sunday, with Pellegrino’s side forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. ■■Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has returned to full training but he will not be in contention to face West Brom tonight.

Defenders Joel Matip (muscle injury) and Alberto Moreno (ankle) will also miss the game with a number of other players carrying knocks from Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is set to make changes again, however, with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino due to start having been rested at the weekend. ■■Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has no fresh injury concerns ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Everton.

Full-back Paul Dummett is his only senior absentee as the left-back works his way back from a hamstring problem which has sidelined him since the opening day of the season.

Dummett played an hour for the club’s Under 23s on Friday and while he is close to a return, the game will come too soon for him.