Mauricio Pochettino believes Adam Lallana has enjoyed “a perfect week” – but revealed he didn’t give the star midfielder a day off for his wedding.

The Saints skipper tied the knot on Christmas Eve in a ceremony brought forward from the summer in case he is selected for England’s World Cup squad.

But Pochettino wasn’t about to let his man celebrate for too long, having Lallana in for training in the morning before his wedding and the day after as the squad prepared for the game at Cardiff.

The Saints boss smiled: “He’s had a perfect week.

“He trained, he went off to get married and he went back to training. Not one day off.”

Lallana was again central to Saints’ success on the field as he played a starring role as his side bounced back to form with a 3-0 away day victory at Cardiff.

It again emphasised just what a top quality Premier League player he has become, as did the Boxing Day newspaper headlines which linked him with a January transfer window move to Manchester United.

There had previously been rumours that David Moyes had eyed a move for Lallana when he was in charge of Everton.

However, Pochettino’s answer to the speculation was unequivocal.

“I think Adam and other players are going to stay with us. There is no intention to sell them,” he insisted.

“In the case of Adam he has clearly said he is happy with us.

“He has shown he is happy at Southampton and the club has no intention of selling this player.”

Again there was much talk over whether Lallana will make Roy Hodgson’s squad for Brazil.

There are still plenty of games left in which he needs to perform, but at his current levels he surely has a great chance, even in Pochettino is trying to remain calm.

“I think it’s a bit too soon to be speaking about the World Cup. There is still a long time left until the World Cup,” he reflected.

“However, it is clear that players like him are candidates to be going to Brazil with the national side but I think it’s a bit too early to be speaking about Brazil.”