Saints have been drawn at home to Ipswich in the third round of the FA Cup.

They will welcome Mick McCarthy’s Championship promotion contenders to St Mary’s early in 2015.

The sides have not met since March 2012 when they were both in the Championship.

Saints won promotion to the Premier League that season and have not looked back.

Ipswich will provide tough opposition though, with the Tractor Boys second in the Championship table this season, just one point behind leaders Derby.

Former Saints striker is leading the line David McGoldrick for Ipswich and has six goals to his name this season.

The match will take place over the weekend of January 3.