Saints have agreed to switch their Premier League fixture at West Ham to St Mary's - meaning they'll now face a gruelling four successive away trips in March and April.

Saints were scheduled to play the Hammers at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, August 19 – the second weekend of the campaign.

However, the stadium will be unavailable that weekend as it cannot be returned to ‘football mode’ in time after hosting the world athletics championships.

"Southampton Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with West Ham United to reverse their two Premier League games ahead of the 2017/18 campaign," said Saints in a statement.

"Saints, who were scheduled to play the Hammers at London Stadium on Saturday 19th August 2018 (3pm), will now host the fixture at St Mary’s stadium due to the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships taking place in the capital.

"The reverse fixture between the clubs will be on Saturday 31st March 2017 at London Stadium (3pm kick-off)."

This will now mean that Saints play Newcastle, Swansea, West Ham and then Arsenal away in consecutive games.