The Saints pair were selected for the senior squad this week for the first time, joining teammates Fraser Forster and Ryan Bertrand in the Three Lions set-up.



Puel, who broke the news to them, said at his pre-Spurs press conference: "It’s fantastic for them and fantastic for the club.



"It’s a good thing for them and congratulations also for them, but also for all the club.



"It’s a long period and I think all the staff and trainers have been important for their evolution and progress. It’s a good reward for all.



"For many seasons the club has worked with quality, with the promotion and evolution of young players, and it’s important to continue.



"You can see for example with James, I saw the interview he did when he was ten or 11 and it was in the same spirit.



"I think James is an ideal son-in-law! He’s an intelligent player, and he makes progress because he listens and he wants to make progress. It’s easy to train James.



"Nathan is a talented player. He has made progress since the beginning of the season and he was very clinical in his last game.



"He has all the quality to become a strong striker. With his feet, with his quality, I think he can score all sorts of goals and give good assists. But all of this is a journey for the future.”



Puel also confirmed how he had teased the pair ahead of telling them about their call-ups, asking them to come to his office under the pretence that they hadn’t been training well.



"I told them I had a problem with them, with their attitude in the training session and I wanted to know their opinion about it,” said Puel, laughing.