Mark Hughes says Saints will monitor Swansea’s game against Stoke and be ready to react if an unthinkable set of circumstances starts to look possible.

Saints go into their final game of the season at home to Manchester City all but safe, but still not mathematically over the line.

In order for Saints to go down they would have to lose to City, Swansea must beat Stoke at home and there would need to be a highly unlikely ten goal swing.

The chances of it happening are so minuscule it is almost worth dismissing, but given City’s goalscoring prowess Hughes isn’t taking anything for granted and will be informed of developments at the Liberty Stadium.

He said: “At some point you will be aware if the situation is starting to develop or our game went adversely wrong but it’s not how we think.

“You need to be conscious of the situation in games of different significance so it’s not something we will ignore.

“If it’s information we need to know then we will use it.

“My view is that if we perform at the same level we have done in recent weeks and understand what we are trying to achieve in the team we have the ability to make sure we get the job done.

“Would we be adversely affected if certain news started to filter through? I’m not sure. We are all human and if the situation was running out of control.

“My view is we are in the situation to get the job done against a very good team, the champions of England, and it was always going to be a difficult game for us.

“We have enough talent and determination to get the result we need.”

Mario Lemina is a major doubt for the game after the hamstring injury that forced him to miss Tuesday night’s crucial win at Swansea which has helped Saints towards almost certain safety.

Jan Bednarek was taken off with concussion after a clash of heads and is unlikely to be risked with Maya Yoshida available to return after suspension.

Many have described City as the best team the Premier League has seen, and they arrive at St Mary’s needing a win to reach the 100 point mark.

However, Hughes, who played for great teams and previously managed City, said there is still a way to go yet.

“It is still early days for them in terms of their standing in European and world football,” he insisted.

“The name of Man City does not resonate like the Real Madrid, Barcelona’s, Man United’s of this world, yet.

“I say yet because if they continue in the same vain and have the resources to go into the market like they have done in recent times clearly they will become a huge power in world football.

“But it takes time and it is only the early stages.”