Ronald Koeman will make changes for tonight’s FA Cup third round replay against Ipswich as the league is now priority No 1 for Saints.

Victory over Manchester United on Sunday lifted Saints into third place in the Premier League and gives them a brilliant platform from which to secure a sensational European qualification.

Koeman has so far opted to field very strong sides in the cup competitions, but with tonight’s replay sandwiched between trips to Old Trafford and Newcastle, and with so much at stake in the league, he is weighing up his options.

Though Koeman remains unlikely to make wholesale changes, he could draft in a number of fringe players – and might be tempted to hand Jack Cork his first senior game since the beginning of December.

The likes of Harrison Reed, Matt Targett, Lloyd Isgrove and even senior stars such as Shane Long, who was an unused sub at Old Trafford, could figure at Portman Road, with Koeman keen to avoid injury to star players such as Toby Alderweireld, who limped off at United.

Midfielder Cork returned from a lengthy injury lay-off in Monday’s under-21 fixture at Fulham, and could also feature.

Koeman will definitely need to take new signing Eljero Elia out of the line-up, with the winger unable to feature in the replay because he was ineligible for the original fixture, having not been registered in time.

When asked whether he will consider making changes tonight, Koeman said: “Maybe yes, because now with Toby he will be injured for some weeks.

“We don’t have a lot of other changes. We have to look.

“We like to go on in the FA Cup but it don’t mean that that is the most important. The most important is the league.

“If players are feeling well, and if there is a good freshness, then I don’t change a lot.”

Former boss Mauricio Pochettino came under fire from fans last season for fielding a below-strength side in the FA Cup loss at Sunderland.

But supporters are sure to back Koeman no matter what team he plays with the league clearly the priority now.

“We know now we can keep going in the position where we are now,” insisted Koeman.

“We win a point against Chelsea, we win against Arsenal, we win at Old Trafford, and that says a lot about the spirit of the players, about the belief of the players.

“Maybe in that context it’s maybe now a little bit more different this Wednesday.”

Whatever side he fields, Koeman knows it will be a tough night for Saints if they are to win through to a home fourth round clash with Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace.

Ipswich provided tough opposition as they held out for a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s, defending valiantly in the second half to limit chances for Saints.

“Difficult. Difficult. It was a difficult system to play against, good defending, physically strong and it’s not easy to create a lot of chances against them,” said Koeman.

“We have to learn from the first game and if we play like how we play the second half then we have good possibilities to win.

“Of course this win (against United) will bring a lot of confidence to the players.

“Maybe more comfortable (against Ipswich), but we know it will be a tough game.

“I wasn’t happy about the replay because we already play a lot, but, OK, it’s a tough week ... but if you start this week like Sunday then it’s not so difficult.”