Ronald Koeman has hit out at the system of suspensions in England and warned his players not to pick up cheap yellow cards ahead of a vital run of games.

Saints this weekend start a huge triple header as they host Manchester City on Sunday, before a midweek trip to Arsenal and then the visit of Manchester United to St Mary’s.

It is part of 11 games in 42 days that is set to stretch the Saints squad to the limit.

Saints head into these matches with Graziano Pelle and Morgan Schneiderlin both only one yellow card away from collecting a fifth of the season and with it a one game ban.

With both men so important to Saints to lose either would be a huge blow.

Koeman is particularly frustrated at the situation surrounding Pelle.

The big striker has received three of his four bookings in the Capital One Cup, but still one more caution could rule him out of a Premier League game.

Koeman made his feelings about the system quite clear, while also reminding his players not to take needless bookings.

“Don’t make stupid faults, don’t take your shirt off if you score,” he said.

“If it’s a fault that benefits the team then OK, I have to accept. No problem.

“But don’t make stupid faults because you have to be clever in those situations.

“Schneiderlin is a player who likes to press, who likes winning battles in midfield and that’s sometimes part of the job.

“What I don’t agree is they count all the yellow cards – in League Cup and later on in FA Cup - and with five you are suspended. If you are out of the League Cup or FA Cup it’s not the same because you play the same and have less risk of yellow cards.

“It’s a different competition.

“Yellow cards (should) count for League Cup and not the Premier League. That’s not straight. It’s a different competition.

“I agree if you get a red card and then you are suspended for the next games, but yellow cards. Pelle has four yellow cards, three in the League Cup.”