FORMER Saints boss Claude Puel admits it will be “strange” returning to St Mary’s with his new side Leicester City tonight – but hopes for a good reception.

The Frenchman, who was sacked after one season in charge at Saints in June, brings the in-form Foxes to the south coast and is looking forward to coming back to the club for the first time.

And he hopes the fans remember the “good times”.

“I think it will be a strange feeling of course,” he said of his return tonight.

“It will be strange going back to the St Mary’s Stadium but it will be nice to see some familiar faces of course. The most important thing is to keep a good focus about my team and players and try to make a strong game.

“I have kept in touch with former players and staff. I gave it my very best at Southampton.

“It was a good feeling all the season with the journey in the cup, but now I had no hesitation when Leicester gave me the opportunity and my focus now is on my team and with my club, Leicester.”

Puel led Saints to an 8th place finish in the Premier League and the League Cup final in his only campaign in charge.

But reservations over his management and style of play meant Saints axed him one year into a three-year contract.

The 56-year-old replaced Craig Shakespeare as Leicester boss in October and he’s since led the Foxes to four wins, two draws and one defeat in his seven matches at the helm.

Puel is hoping, despite the disappointing way his tenure ended at St Mary’s, that he gets a good reception from the Saints faithful.

“I hope the fans remember our good times, like the journey in the cup and the final,” he said. “It was great at Wembley. They are good memories. It was their first final since 2003, I think.

“It was a great moment. Also, with games against Inter Milan home and away, we took 8,000 fans for the journey. It is fantastic. They remember the good times we shared.”

The former Nice boss has got Leicester in top form, but he is wary of Saints’ recent performances.

“Yes, we are in form but it is the same for Southampton,” he said.

“Their performances are very interesting. There was a high level of performance on the pitch, against Manchester City, a great team, and Arsenal.

“It will be a good balance between the two teams and I hope we see a good game with quality on the pitch. I am sure of this.”

The Foxes form has been excellent, but Puel doesn’t want to talk about reaching European competition just yet, having only been in the job for just under two months.

“Oh no, we can’t talk about this (Europe) at the moment. We just try to keep a good performance, to work hard on the pitch, work hard and be consistent every game,” he said.

“We are playing now every two or three days and it is very hard. This period gives us a challenge and we will see if we can continue this work and maintain this level.”