JOSE Fonte insists Manchester City’s mouthwatering clashes with Real Madrid WON’T help Saints in any way.

City play arguably the biggest games in their history in the Champions League against Madrid either side of Sunday’s visit to St Mary’s.

They face Zinedine Zidane’s side tonight at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their historic CL semi-final.

It is the first time the blue half of Manchester have ever reached that stage of the competition that they’ve being clamouring to win since billionaire Sheikh Mansour bought the club in 2008.

While their attentions may inevitably be focused on trying to reach the final in Milan next month, Manuel Pellegrini’s side still have to switch their attentions to a trip to Saints on Sunday, before travelling to the Bernabeu next Wednesday for the second leg.

Depending on how City get on against former Saint Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and co tonight, the match at St Mary’s could well see Pellegrini utilise some of the club’s fringe players.

Although, such is the embarrassment of riches at the Etihad, that even some of their less prominent players will still be a huge threat.

However, experienced captain Fonte wants to disregard their opponents’ Champions League interests as an advantage to Saints.

“Well, their mind will be on that [the Champions League] obviously, but we can’t rely on that,” the 32-year-old said.

“We have to make sure we have a good game plan for them and we can nullify all their weapons.”

“Towards the end of the game, if we’re still in the game, hopefully it’ll be good for us,” he added. “They are professional players and we have to approach the game to win.

“Hopefully we can do the job and get the three points, which would be fantastic.”

On Fonte’s mind is getting another clean sheet under his belt.

The Saints defence went six games in a row without conceding in January and February as Fraser Forster made a sensational return from long term injury.

But they haven’t recorded a shut-out in the nine games since the 1-0 win at Swansea 10 weeks ago.

“Sometimes it happens,” he said. “We had six in a row and now it’s been difficult to keep one, but the most important thing is the three points.

“We will try and rectify some small details to keep those clean sheets for the rest of the season if we can.

“If we keep a clean sheet against Manchester City it gives ourselves another great opportunity to win the game, so it’s going to be hard but we’ve got to work together as a team to achieve that.”

A Europa League spot remains in Saints’ sights – although much relies on Liverpool’s form.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have one game in hand over Saints in the Premier League, but also have a Europa League two legged semi-final against Villareal to contend with.

Certainly, it is expected, that the Reds will prioritise the Europa League with a Champions League place up for grabs for the winner.

“We know it’s not looking good but there’s three games to go and we still believe,” said Fonte.

“It’s up to us. We need to win the next three games, so we give it all we have.

“We need to keep ourselves in the fight.”