Southampton boss Claude Puel says his side cannot get distracted by the threat of Dimitri Payet when they face West Ham on Sunday.

The Saints seem to have found their rhythm in the last few weeks, winning their last three in all competitions and will head to Stratford full of confidence.

In contrast the Hammers are still to produce anything like the form they showed last term and only narrowly avoided an embarrassing result in midweek, when Payet’s stoppage time free-kick saw them sneak past League Two Accrington in the EFL Cup.

On current form, the Frenchman’s set-piece ability looks to provide West Ham’s best chance of goals and he will be looking to take any opportunities presented to him on Sunday.

The Hammers are 3.00 to win the game, with the draw 3.30 and the Saints priced at 2.50. Puel admits his Southampton team will need to be wary of his compatriot, who is 3.50 to score at anytime, but insists they cannot get preoccupied in a way that stops them from demonstrating their own qualities.

“[A free kick from Payet] would be a good opportunity for them, and of course defending is important, but we must also concentrate on all the many good things we do on the pitch,” Puel told reporters.

“[Payet] is a very good player on the free-kicks, but our players also have many qualities and it will be difficult for West Ham to defend these players.

“It is important to keep in our minds all of the good things we can make on the pitch and not just to stay in close [attention] with the opponent, [but] to give a good answer against all of the [West Ham] team, with a good concentration.”