Saints need to tighten up in possession if they are to beat Newcastle today, according to Erwin Koeman.

The assistant manager has stepped up to take on extra responsibilities with the team after his brother Ronald injured his Achilles before the second leg of the Europa League tie against Vitesse.

It is a tough start for Saints to have to travel to their furthest away game just a few days after playing in Holland but Erwin is looking forward to it.

However, he insists Saints won’t get off to a good start if they repeat some of the lapses in possession they did on Thursday night.

“I think Newcastle will have big expectations for the new season with a new manager, with some new signings,” he said.

“I think they have good players, they have a good team, they have of course a crowd of 55,000 people behind them.

“We have to prepare ourselves very well for that game. It will be a lot intensity in that game.

“Again we may not be sloppy like Thursday in ball possession and we have to defend very well against them.

“We will see what happens because I think they are also looking at Southampton to play against us.

“Last year we win over there but it will be a tough game, a tough opener, but we all are looking forward to playing against Newcastle there.”

Saints are set to wait until the last minute to make a decision on whether Jordy Clasie or Shane Long can participate.

Clasie damaged his hamstring in the first leg against Vitesse while Long missed the return trip due to illness.

Despite Newcastle having a new manager, Saints have seen them in pre-season and so Erwin insists that any supposed element of surprise is no reason to lose the game.

“I think what I saw last week from them, they play a little but the system of Vitesse with a number ten,” said Koeman.

“We know of course how they will play and they know our team as well because they saw for sure the last two games in the Euro League.

“Sunday it starts and no excuses.”