Southampton manager Claude Puel has admitted that it has been "difficult" to prepare for tonight's EFL Cup fourth-round match against Sunderland because of the expected personnel changes in the team.

Both Premier League outfits are likely to rotate their teams for the encounter at St Mary's, but the Saints are in better form as they are unbeaten in their last five top-flight games.

Sunderland have not yet won a league game this season, and as a result sit at the bottom of the table, five points adrift of safety.

"It's a difficult game to prepare, because you don't know the Sunderland team, because they change also their team to prepare for their game on Saturday against Arsenal," Puel told the club's official website. "But it's the same for the two teams. We play at home, with all our supporters, and it's important to make a good result, with good play and a good feeling.

"It's important to stay with a good concentration and focus on this game, which is a difficult game, because you don't know the team of Sunderland at the start, and every time young players can play - it's the same for us.

"They want to play a good game, it's the beginning of their career and it's very important, so they have a good spirit and a good attitude, and for us it will be the same."

The last two meetings between these two clubs have ended in draws.