Steven Davis believes Saints’ FA Cup exit could provide a valuable warning shot to the team, as they prepare to continue their push for Europe.

Ronald Koeman’s side suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace at St Mary’s, marking only the third time this season they had lost at home. Saints will be back on their own turf again next Sunday, when they host Swansea in a Premier League contest, as they bid to strengthen their Champions League prospects.

Koeman’s men will start the weekend in third place, and, with the top two, Chelsea and Manchester City, playing each other, they would close the gap on at least one of them with a victory.

Davis, however, pointed out that Saturday’s defeat offers a reminder of just how quickly Saints’ good work could be undone if they are not careful.

“Sometimes I think maybe you need something during a season to give you a little kick up the backside, and maybe this has come at a good time, but, obviously, it’s important we bounce back now against Swansea next week,” said the midfielder.

“I think we know whenever you’re playing at this level you’ve got to be at the top of your game every week and we won’t get carried away.

“We’re massively disappointed to be out of the FA Cup and, with the result, and the first-half performance in particular, there was obviously things that we can improve on, which we’ll look at during the week.

“But we need to go and just, like I say, get back to winning ways against Swansea next week.”

Since late November, Saints have played Arsenal and Manchester United twice, as well as Chelsea and Manchester City, not to mention some other tricky fixtures.

Despite that run, they have not faded, as many predicted they would.

Now, having emerged from that challenging and hectic period, they will not face a current top-six side in their next half-a-dozen matches – four of which are at home.

It is clearly a great opportunity for Saints to enhance their European hopes, but Davis insists there will be no complacency.

“I think that’s something that, even [on Saturday], will give us a bit of a warning if there was any of that – which I don’t think there would be.

“I know, because it’s a level-headed group of players and squad.

“We know the levels we need to get to to continue to get results, but, of course, it’s important to get back to winning ways as soon as possible and try and go on another little run again.”

Davis added: “It’s obviously been a good season as a whole so far, but we don’t want that to peter out really – we want it to just keep on going and finish as high as possible.

“Obviously, we’ve got a run of games now where, if we’re at our best, hopefully we can pick up some more points.”