Ronald Koeman will use tonight’s Capital One Cup clash against MK Dons as an opportunity to utilise his whole squad.

The likes of Juanmi, Shane Long, Jay Rodriguez, Cedric Soares and Cuco Martina have had to make do with featuring every now and then rather than as first team regulars so far this season, but will be hoping to get a chance to impress at stadiummk.

Koeman is keen for his team to progress in the competition, hence he will be using first teamers rather than youngsters, but does see the match as a chance to mix things up a bit.

He said: “That can be, one or two more changes than normally we did last year but that’s all about the competition that we have in the squad.

“Everybody is working hard to get the chance to play, it’s all about maybe some little injuries to protect a player and to have everyone available and have everyone 100 per cent.”

He added: “It’s not changing because you like to change, I like to go on in this tournament and to put a strong team to beat them.

“It’s always opportunities for players who are maybe not very involved in the last few games.”

One player who is touch and go to be fit is Graziano Pelle, who took a kick on his foot.

Jordy Clasie has returned to first team training after his ankle injury but won’t be considered until Saturday at the earliest, but Ryan Bertrand is back in the squad.

The left back has missed the opening to the season through injury but came through 45 minutes for the under-21s on Monday night.

“Very good, a long time out, it’s also difficult because he was out from May and that means no pre-season and a pre-season for a player is a very important part of the season for the player to be in a really good fit, physical stage,” said Koeman.

“We know that but little by little he will come back as he gets his time to play, that was good that he got 45 minutes on Monday and he will be part of the squad this Wednesday.”

Saints were upset in the competition last season at the quarter-final stage by Sheffield United and are prepared for a tough test tonight.

“I expect a tough game, for them it’s a great opportunity to play a Premier League team, we know the team, maybe they are a little bit more struggling in the league until now from the start, but it’s a strong team,” admitted Koeman.

“We know and we have the experience that we know we have to be at 100 per cent and then normally we are the better team. That’s talk, you have to show it.”

He continued: “We know it’s a different competition, we know the final result will make the reason if you go through the tournament and we like to go on.

“We had a good run last year, it was stopped at the quarter-final and we like to do it well.

“We need to be prepared because in this kind of competition it’s not about the level of competition you play, it’s not about the Championship, Premier League, because they fight for their lives in these kind of competitions.

“For them it’s a good challenge to play against a Premier League team and, we have to be prepared for that. We have that kind of experience.”