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A host of Saints stars including England duo Ryan Bertrand and Nathan Redmond have fallen out with their French boss after becoming disillusioned with his style of management.

England defender Bertrand is now ready to quit the club in the summer if Puel stays in charge.

There are also genuine fears that star defender Virgil van Dijk will leave if Puel doesn’t.

Senior players are understood to have voiced their concerns to director of football Les Reed following a series of rows between Puel and his players.

Puel has also told pals in France he is uncertain if he will stay beyond the end of the season with a club source saying “The next few weeks are critical to Puel.

“Recent performances have not been good and he is under the spotlight.

“The board are aware there are a lot of unhappy players in the dressing-room and that is far from ideal going into the summer.”

The board share fans’ concerns over Puel’s negative style of play and were also unhappy at seeing Saints crash out of the Europa League despite being drawn in a weak group.

Only leading Saints to Wembley in February– where they were unlucky to lose the EFL Cup final 3-2 to Manchester United – has earned the Frenchman some breathing space.

Reed and owner Katharina Liebherr are determined to keep hold of their star players this summer.

But if they feel Puel’s presence reduces the chances of persuading the likes of Bertrand and sought after Van Dijk to stay they may be forced to make a change.

Star winger Redmond was surprisingly dropped from the starting line-up for last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Chelsea.

His omission is believed to have followed a disagreement with Puel.

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long is also frustrated at finding himself in and out of the team due to Puel’s controversial squad rotation policy.

Long enjoyed the best scoring season of his Premier League career last term but this year has regularly been dropped after scoring or playing well.

During Saturday’s dour goalless draw at home to struggling Swansea Puel was booed by fans at half-time, full-time and after substituting striker Manolo Gabbiadini.

After the game when quizzed on the frustration spilling from the stands, Puel said: “We are angry like the fans.”

Under Puel Saints are the third lowest home scorers in the Premier League behind only relegated Sunderland and struggling Middlesbrough.

Hull manager Marco Silva and under-pressure Paris St-Germain chief Unai Emery were on Saints’ shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman before Puel’s appointment last summer.

With Silva yet to commit his long-term future to Hull and Emery facing the sack both would come into Saints’ plans again should Puel depart.