Jose Fonte to help the Saints make progress in the Europa League

Southampton defender Jose Fonte is hoping to use his experience of Euro 2016 glory to help the Saints make progress in the Europa League.

Centre-back Fonte was part of the Portugal side who were crowned European champions in France earlier this summer, with his club team-mate Cedric Soares also a member of the Selecao side who defeated hosts France 1-0 in the final in Paris.

However, while being inspired by such a triumph, Fonte is also well aware that he has to look ahead and not keep looking back to the glories on July.

Ahead of a Europa League Group K opener at home to Sparta Prague, Fonte told the club’s official website: “As everyone saw, it was a great summer for me and for Portugal, but it’s gone now.

“We have to start again and I have to start again with a clean sheet.” said Jose Fonte

Saints failed to make the group stages of the Europa League, being beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Danish side FC Midtjylland.

This time around they qualified automatically for the group stages and are 5/2 to top Group K, with Sparta priced at 4/1 and Inter Milan available at 4/5.