Southampton manager Claude Puel says Saturdays opponents Liverpool have to be considered among the title favourites. But Puel says his team are more than capable of competing with the Premier Leagues big guns and is expecting them to give a good account of themselves.Saints are 10th in the table, having made a solid start to life under Puel, but Liverpool are sitting atop the standings, with eight wins and just one defeat from their first 11 games. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price They are one of the favourites, of course, said Puel at his Thursday press briefing.Like Arsenal, Manchester City, and other teams, they are at a very good level for this league this season, but my players can play a good game against these teams too.Its important for my team to play our football, our game.We play against a very good team, with good players and spectacular football, but I think we have qualities also.They are first in the table for chances against opponents, and we are in third position with this statistic.We can see a good, open game and I hope we will have a good result at the end for the supporters but its important to stay with our good football and concentrate on this. Charlie Austins goals have rescued Southampton at times this season He hopes the rest of his squad can start to take some pressure off Charlie Austin, who has scored five of their 12 Premier League goals this season.Hes efficient in front of goal, and its important for the squad. Hes also scored many penalties. Always its important to keep him at a good physical level, Puel added.But I hope other players can score also. Its important other players have the possibility to score: offensive midfielders, defenders from free-kicks. We have a statistic: we are third (in) the number of chances every game, and the least efficient. Free-scoring Liverpool will visit St Marys on Saturday Puel added that he expects to have a fairly fit squad to select from for the visit of the leaders.We will see in the last training session before the game, he said.I think all the players are okay and there wont be any surprises. Cedric has come back to training, [Ryan] Bertrand trained yesterday also.Shane Long also came back to training but I dont know if they are physically ready to play. We will see on Friday.Dusan Tadic suffered a suspected broken nose while in action for Serbia against Wales last weekend but is expected to play with a face mask.Normally he will be available for this game, Puel said. He spoke to the doctor and its OK for him.Goalkeeper Fraser Forster withdrew from the England squad with a slight injury but has been passed fit to line up against the Reds.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Mersons predictions Rodriguez: We deserve better Premier League questions How did your internationals do? Gabriel Jesus Brazil Jersey . While the pair of Spain internationals return, midfielder Xavi Hernandez will not be included in the squad after failing to recover from a muscle strain to his left leg. Fernandinho Jersey . LOUIS -- Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks won the matchup of unbeaten teams. http://www.soccerbrazilonline.com/Philip...America-Jersey/. I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Custom Brazil Jerseys . He made the comment at a media availability Saturday prior to Game 2 of the Boston-Montreal playoff series when a Quebec reporter said there is sentiment in Quebec that the NHL looks more favourably on Seattle than Quebec City when it comes to future expansion. Alisson Brazil Jersey . Down 2-1 after Rick Nash scored on a penalty shot, the Oilers ran off four unanswered goals in the remainder of the second period on the way to a 6-3 victory on Sunday.TORONTO - With spring training just over a month away, many big-league baseball players are starting to get back into their workout routines in preparation for the 2015 season.For Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, the pre-season plan is a little different. The veteran right-hander has to give his nails extra attention since theyre critical for his unique pitch.I just kind of let them go in the winter, Dickey said Friday. And then when it comes time for like around late January, I start treating them with some product and making sure that theyre filed right, and the nail hardener is on there, things like that.Dickey was joined by teammates Jose Bautista, Aaron Loup, Todd Redmond and Dalton Pompey for a media availability at Rogers Centre to kick off the Blue Jays Winter Tour. The tour will include stops in Calgary, Banff and Vancouver next week. A chipped or broken nail can significantly hamper Dickeys ability to throw the unique pitch, which can float, dive and flutter en route to the plate. The over-the-counter hardener is used so the nails can withstand the rigours of a full season.Dickey tries to keep his nails at a consistent length and also has to be mindful of tasks that other players wouldnt be concerned about — like making sure a nail doesnt crack while hes doing up a zipper, for example.He doesnt go into nail salons unless theres an emergency.I do my own stuff, Dickey said in a recent interview at a different promotional event. Im probably the only major leaguer out there that could go on the disabled list for a broken nail.ddddddddddddI dont trust many people with my nails. I do it all on my own.To throw the pitch, Dickey puts his index and middle fingers just behind the horseshoe-like seam on the ball. He digs his nails in on top and supports the bottom of the ball with his thumb on one side and fourth finger on the other.The thumb must stay off the seam to prevent the ball from spinning. Dickey then winds up and bends his wrist at an almost 90-degree angle before essentially pushing the ball out.With no spin, the ball floats toward the plate, often handcuffing batters with its slower speed and directional changes.Knuckleballers are quite rare as it can take a long time for a pitcher to master it. Dickey, 40, started out as a conventional pitcher but found the most success as a knuckler later in his career.So is it a fun pitch to throw?It can be. It can also be maddening, he said. When its going good, theres not anything better in the world. But when its going bad, it can be really ugly.Dickey won the National League Cy Young Award with the New York Mets in 2012 and joined the Blue Jays the following year. Hell be counted on to help anchor Torontos starting rotation again in 2015.Dickey reached the 200-inning plateau for the fourth straight season last year, finishing with a 14-13 mark and 3.71 earned-run average.Spring training begins next month and the Blue Jays will kick off the regular season April 6 in New York.———Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. ' ' '