Ronald Koeman is taking nothing for granted against Stoke tomorrow – despite having beaten the Potters twice already this season.

Saints defeated Stoke at St Mary’s in the league and at the Britannia Stadium, the venue for tomorrow’s fixture, in the League Cup in the space of a few days last October.

That, though, counts for nothing for Koeman, who hopes that his side will get an unlikely boost in their search of another victory from the weather.

Daily Echo:

Graziano Pelle scores the winner for Saints in the 3-2 Capital One Cup victory at Stoke this season

He said: “A difficult one. We have that experience this season two times we play Stoke, one time at home and one time away for the League Cup.

“Both games we won but in both it was difficult because we know the qualities of them, we know the manager was always with the high spirit, the high intention in the game, physical players, direct game and maybe lucky to play this weekend there with the temperatures and weather.

“But I know it’s always windy and that makes it still more difficult.

“The weather will be good this weekend and circumstances good.”

Koeman added: “If you watch this season they brought in some good technical players and they have good football players.

“It’s a little bit both I think if you are talking about them and you mention only direct play it’s not respectful.

“Sometimes they like to play good football but they have always the option to play the long ball.

“If Crouch is playing it gives them the option in direct play.

“We know it is maybe the strongest team in the league in the physical qualities of the players. They like to press and if you’re not on your level you get a difficult afternoon.”

Ahead of the game, Koeman says he is “proud” of Saints’ record equalling season – but has told his players “it’s not enough.”

Saints matched their highest ever Premier League points total by beating Hull last weekend and now face the trip to Stoke where they hope to set a new milestone.

It looks very much like Saints will secure European football for next season but Koeman is urging more from his players in the final six games.

Daily Echo:

James Ward-Prowse celebrates scoring in last weekend's 2-0 win against Hull

He said: “Proud, but it’s not enough.

“We need, and we like, to have more points and of course if you mention this question in pre-season I was happy to reach that points.

“But now in this situation with six games to play we need more and we like to win more to finish in a very high position.

“That’s our target for the next few games but of course that means until now a very successful season.”

Saints will still be without Filip Djuricic for the game with the attacking midfielder recovering slower than expected from injury.

“Filip is still out for the weekend about his ankle problem which takes a little bit more time than we expect after the day when it happened,” reported Koeman.

Florin Gardos is back in the squad for the weekend. The rest we know – Wanyama is out suspended, a pity but it happened.

Fraser Forster we know. Jay Rodriguez is from next week doing some parts of the sessions with the group and that’s the next step for the following weeks.

“Mayuka is still out. He’s coming back normally next week.”