Claude Puel: 'December could be a decisive month for Southampton'

Southampton manager Claude Puel has said that his side "need the points" against Stoke City as they look to mount a challenge for a place in the top six of the Premier League table.

The Saints currently sit in 10th place after registering just five wins this season but they are only four points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United.

Puel takes his side to the Potteries on Wednesday evening, and the Frenchman has indicated that he has demanded a strong performance from his team in what he feels could be a "decisive" month.

The 55-year-old told reporters: "We need the points. It's important to have a good concentration against Stoke.

"They have some great offensive players. It's impressive, but we have to focus on ourselves. December can be decisive. We want to keep the same objective in the second part of the season."

On Sunday, Southampton edged out Middlesbrough by a 1-0 scoreline at St Mary's.