Ronald Koeman is ready to unleash the big guns as Saints continue their pre-season preparations.

A young side lost their first game in Austria 5-4 to RB Leipzig, but now the international players will get a run out as Saints play in the Audi Quattro Cup.

The four team tournament also features Valencia, Werder Bremen and Red Bull Salzburg, played at the latter’s home ground this afternoon.

Saints face Valencia first up, with Werder Bremen taking on Red Bull, before the losers meet in a third and fourth place play-off and the winners clash to decide who lifts the trophy.

All of the Saints squad are likely to play in one of the 45 minute games.

Koeman believes the tournament will give Saints an early taste of European football ahead of their Europa League campaign.

“I think it’s good to start the pre-season with good friendlies,” he said.

“I think there will be different styles of football, different teams from different competitions.

“We get the chance to be part of European football if we win the European qualification and it’s good already to have that feeling from this tournament.”

The match against Valencia will also be an emotional one for Koeman who managed the Spanish side from 2007-08.

“First of all it’s always nice to play against ex-football teams and the most important is that it’s one from Spain,” he reckoned.

“They had a great season last year and for our team it’s a fantastic friendly to play against them.

“In a special way of course that counts in life but it wasn’t so long ago.”

Koeman was also complimentary of the tournament hosts and their progress in recent years.

“I think it’s a very good level,” he admitted.

“Red Bull the last few years did great things.

“They are part of the Champions League and if you are part of the Champions League that brings a lot to the level.

“Watch the national team of Austria and it’s a high level, good development in the last few years. The example of that is Red Bull Salzburg.”

He added: “It doesn’t matter (who we play). Even in pre-season you play football to win the game. We try to win.

“It will be difficult but we will see what happens.”