Saints’ Carabao Cup third round clash with Everton has been delayed by a week.

The match at Goodison Park was due to take place in the week beginning September 24, but after days of talks the decision has been made to delay the fixture until Tuesday, October 2.

The issue arose as both Everton and Liverpool have been drawn at home in the last 16 of the League Cup.

Everton are due to play in the Premier League on Sunday, September 23, as are Liverpool’s Carabao Cup opponents Chelsea.

That meant both teams were unable to fulfil a fixture on the Tuesday evening, and they could not both play at home on the Wednesday night due to safety issues given the close proximity of their respective grounds.

With Liverpool facing Chelsea on Saturday, September 29, in a big TV fixture – the same day Saints travel to Wolves - the decision was taken that the Saints fixture would be the one to give and move later.

It also gives Saints a little respite.

A week with back-to-back away games at Liverpool, Everton and Wolves would have been an intense schedule.

Instead, Saints have an extra day to recover after Everton before a home fixture with Chelsea which takes place on Sunday, October 7.