PIERRE-Emile Hojbjerg is confident that Saints can compete against his former Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola and his Premier League leaders Manchester City tomorrow.

Saints arrive at the Etihad Stadium after defeat to Inter Milan in the Europa League, while City have had their own European troubles after being thrashed 4-0 by Barcelona in the Champions League.

And, while Claude Puel’s squad is stretched with injury and fatigued from their trip to Italy, Hojbjerg, who played under Guardiola at Bayern, reckons that Saints have the quality to compete with City as they head into another hectic week with three games, including the City trip, an EFL Cup tie against Sunderland on Wednesday and another league game at home to Chelsea next Sunday.

“It is a hard programme but we know that and have a team that can compete,” he said.

“We need to put ourselves up there. Every time we go on the pitch we want to get a result, we want to keep progressing.

“We have a good team and we want to improve some small details to get better. We still need to improve.”

He added: “Every game is a new opportunity and we will take that.”

The 21-year-old midfielder, who signed from Bayern in a £12m deal in the summer, has been grateful for the established players at Saints, who have helped him settle into life on the south coast.

“The guys are good, there are experienced people in the team,” he said. “There are some big players who have experienced a lot and they help me.

Dusan Tadic, Jose Fonte, I could name them all, they are experienced people. Just to look at them as a young player you learn from them and that gives you a lot.”

With Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett out injured, left-back duty is likely to fall again to academy graduate Sam McQueen.

He made a dream first Saints start against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night and is primed for his first-ever Premier League start at another of football’s giants, City. “I would be excited again,” he said. “Everything has snowballed a bit and long may it continue.

“I am wishing Matty (Targett) gets back and gets fit and Berty (Bertrand) as well but I have to take the chances when I am here.

“It’s down to myself and I have to try and do what I have to do to give myself the best opportunity to get that chance again.”