Southampton manager Claude Puel has confirmed that captain Jose Fonte will not be part of his squad to face Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old defender, who has 18 months left on his current contract, handed in a transfer request on Thursday with Saints director of football Les Reed admitting that Fonte wanted to "explore opportunities for a transfer".
Fonte, who joined Southampton in 2010 from Crystal Palace, was absent for Saturday's FA Cup draw against Norwich and Puel has decided to leave him out again for the first leg at St Mary's, although the Frenchman refused to rule out selecting the Portugal international in the near future.