Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has said that he "respects" Leicester City counterpart Claude Puel ahead of the meeting between the clubs on Wednesday.

The midweek fixture will see Puel, who is now at the helm at the King Power Stadium, make a return to St Mary's after leaving the south coast at the end of last season.

Pellegrino, who was installed by the Saints as his replacement ahead of the current campaign, has spoken fondly of Puel.

"As a person, I like to have a good memory of my ex-players, to try to improve them as an individual," Pellegrino told his pre-match press conference.

"I respect the ex-manager, Claude is doing a good job because Leicester are getting a lot of points and they won important games in a row. Leicester won the league not too many years ago and most of them are the same players.

"We have to be careful because it's a good side but at home we have to continue our way and try to be a problem, to play good football and to attack and defend because it's an important game for us."

Southampton will be looking to move away from the Premier League's relegation zone on Wednesday, while Leicester are five points outside the top six ahead of the tie.