Saints may be challenging for a Champions League spot but Ronald Koeman insists there will be no let up as his side enter the FA Cup.

With 20 games of the Premier League season gone Saints find themselves fourth in the table and, after picking up four points from Chelsea and Arsenal, remain serious contenders to secure a European spot.

They enter the FA Cup at the third round stage tomorrow as they host the Championship’s second place team, Ipswich, at a sold-out St Mary’s.

Many managers make changes for the competition, with even Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy expected to do so as they prioritise promotion to the top flight, but Koeman will largely stick by the side that defeated Arsenal as Saints battle on all fronts.

He said: “First of all the most important is always speak to the players and wait until today’s session about the freshness of the players.

“You know me already a little bit and I don’t change the team a lot because I don’t believe in the rotation of the team.

“We keep going and maybe one or two players we change but not much more.

“We have to be prepared for that (FA Cup) and that isn’t easy after the win against Arsenal but we are professionals and maybe today a little bit tired but Sunday we will be sharp to play against a good squad from the Championship.

“They are doing well, they lost one time in 20 games and there is always a lot of attention to the FA Cup.

“I remember when I was a young kid watching the FA Cup finals from Holland and it was always a special day and if I had a dream it is maybe about playing an FA Cup final.”

Koeman, who has Morgan Schneiderlin available again after suspension, admitted he wasn’t aware of the club’s FA Cup history, the 1976 win being the undisputed highlight, but has admired the competition from afar and is looking to getting stuck in.

“It was always a special day and I spoke one time to Gullit and he had one final I think as the manager of Chelsea at that moment and it was very special and a lot of attention,” said Koeman.

“It’s a long way to Wembley and you have to beat a lot of teams but it starts Sunday and that’s good.”

Saints will not use the competition merely as a chance to blood youngsters with Koeman saying: “We gave the youngsters already some minutes in the Premier League. It’s not different.

“I gave Matthew Targett the confidence and the time to play in the League Cup, but I believe in young players, but we like to win and we are in a good moment with the confidence in the team, and I don’t like to change a lot.”

Ipswich may well make several changes but will still prove a live threat for Saints to see off.

“They use maybe a little bit different system of playing, but I was watching the last game of Ipswich and they play out of a 4-4-2 system, a good physical,” reflected Koeman.

“There isn’t a lot of difference between the bottom of the Premier League and the top of the Championship, and we had a good example against Sheffield United.

“You have to be prepared for a tough game and, if you are not, then you are in big trouble. That was a good lesson for us and for the players.”