Victor Wanyama believes the current Saints side are already good enough to hold their own in the Champions League.

The stricken midfielder, who will miss the next four to five weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the FA Cup replay win at Ipswich, has experience of playing in the world’s top club competition.

Wanyama starred for Celtic in some famous Champions League nights, including their memorable win over Barcelona, and so is well placed to know what it takes to be good enough for such a lofty level.

He is adamant that Saints are already there.

He said: “I think this team will do well in the Champions League, if we can get that chance.

“This team will do well in the Champions League.

“For me I think the difference is just hunger and also the mentality.

“I think here the players have that winning mentality and hunger to do well in the Champions League.”

Wanyama is ruled out of this weekend’s game at Newcastle, but knows another tough test awaits his teammates as they strive for the top four finish that would bring with it Champions League football.

“It’s a different game and it’s a tough place to go,” said Wanyama, speaking before his injury problems.

“They are a good team but hopefully we can go there and work hard and get a positive result.

“Every game we go we always believe we can do better.

“That has been the same mentality we have been carrying into every game so hopefully we can keep that going.”

The imposing midfielder also believes the win over Manchester United has proven that Saints belong where they are in the table.

“Yes, sure, we have been working hard and we deserve all the achievements we have got,” he reflected.

“I believe we can stay there.

“If we keep on doing the same thing we can stay there.”

The fresh injury problem has compounded a tough couple of weeks for Wanyama.

His Kenya side crashed out in the early stages of qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, and he has had to watch teammates Sadio Mane and Emmanuel Mayuka depart for a competition he would dearly love to be part of.

He hasn’t given up hope of making it next time round though, but insists things need to be improved behind the scenes for that to happen.

“It has been difficult seeing them going when we didn’t make it,” he admitted.

“This frustrates me but hopefully next time we are going to make it.

“Actually for me it was a very hard time. It has been hard.

“In football we (Kenya) have a good team but I don’t know what is wrong with the management.

“I think if the football management can improve then we can do better.”