Saints have one foot in the next round of the Europa League after a 3-0 win over Vitesse – but it came at a cost with Jordy Clasie a doubt for the start of the Premier League season after injuring his hamstring.

This summer’s biggest signing was making his St Mary’s bow but limped off during the second half.

Saints will try and assess the damage today but Ronald Koeman admitted his Dutch midfielder could miss the start of the top flight campaign.

“It’s possible,” he said. “We have to wait.

“It’s always a dangerous injury hamstrings and we have to wait.”

A sold-out St Mary’s saw Saints take a huge step towards the play-off round but Koeman is taking nothing for granted ahead of the second leg in Holland next week.

“It’s never over in football but of course the final result is a very good one,” he reflected.

“In European football to win the first game at home 3-0 is a great result.”