Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini and Puel have faced each other in Europe before and Puel beat Pellegrini’s Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League when he took Lyon to the semi-finals in 2010.

Leicester reached the quarter finals in 2017 after their shock title victory the year before and Puel is eager to return them to that stage.

He said: “When I was a player or when I was a manager in France I managed and played a lot of international games – Champions League games, Europa League.

“It’s important to have the ambition and I hope for the club to find this competition again.

“I hope we can find this level again. When I look at the games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights it’s hard. I would like to find the possibility again with this club.

“If we continue to work with consistency and stability, why not?

“When Leicester were champions, the season after it was difficult to have the consistency in Premier League and Europe.

“When the club doesn’t have the habits to play every three days it’s difficult to maintain good results.

“Leicester needs to go step-by-step, to find good stability.”

Puel marked a year in charge of the Foxes on Thursday, although he is still to win round a section of the Leicester supporters.

He has won 18 and lost 17 of his 46 games and feels the clubs is progressing under his leadership.

“I think the club takes the right direction,” said Puel, who will make a late decision on striker Jamie Vardy after his stomach bug.

“If we look with the recruitment and the extension of all the contracts since the beginning of the season.

“It is fantastic to keep Harry Maguire, Kasper Schmeichel, Wilfried Ndidi and Ben Chilwell.

“All these young, talented players can come in and continue in the club. I think it is the right way and direction to continue to improve.

“We can see the project at the training ground and it is a good feeling for everyone working at the club.”

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