Jose Fonte to miss Southampton’s League Cup semi-final

Club captain’s recent transfer request proving “a distraction” says manager Claude Puel

Jose Fonte: The Southampton captain  has handed in a transfer request and will miss the game against Liverpool.  Photograph: John Walton/PA
Jose Fonte: The Southampton captain has handed in a transfer request and will miss the game against Liverpool. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Southampton captain Jose Fonte will miss Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool after handing in a transfer request last week.

Manager Claude Puel told reporters the Portuguese international defender would not be available for the match at St Mary’s.

“Jose doesn’t participate in this game,” said the Frenchman. “We will see for the next game but, for the moment and with the situation of Jose, it’s important to keep the stability in defence.

“We don’t know the future for Jose. It’s a difficult situation with the [transfer] window.”

READ MORE

Puel said Southampton had given the 33-year-old “the possibility to study different opportunities,” adding that while he respected the player’s position the situation was proving a distraction.

Fonte, who joined the south coast club from Crystal Palace in 2010, was not selected for last Saturday’s FA Cup third round 2-2 draw against second-tier Norwich City at Carrow Road.

“It’s difficult to play and have the good concentration with this situation,” said the manager, who has appointed Virgil van Dijk as captain in Fonte’s absence.