Mark Hughes has warned his Saints side not to underestimate Newcastle.

Rafa Benitez’s side travel to St Mary’s tomorrow bottom of the table and without a win in their opening nine league matches this season.

However, they have faced five of the big six already in a difficult opening to the campaign and are likely to be targeting a result at Saints given their home struggles.

There are a lot of fans expecting a comfortable Saints win, but Hughes is trying to ensure that the players don’t fall into that trap.

He said: “It’s an important game, it’s the next one, and one we need to get maximum points from.

“There is a danger people underestimate Newcastle.

“The fixture computer hasn’t been very kind to them – they’ve faced Man United, Man City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal – and not one was lost by more than one clear goal so that suggests they are an accomplished side.

“They took a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford so they have good potential.

“I have told the players not to underestimate the ability of Newcastle because they have good players, good talent out wide and up top as well.

“It will be a test. I feel we are ready and confident in what we want to do but we cannot underestimate Newcastle.”

For all the talk of Saints finally getting their first home win of the season, there is likely to be a feeling at Newcastle that they can also exploit the fragilities of Saints.

“They probably would have looked at the fixture ahead of them and they have come up against tough opponents, not withstanding Brighton which they probably would have targeted, they would have seen our home form and see it as a chance to get points on the board,” admitted Hughes.

“This period is a little bit easier for them in terms of what they feel the opposition they have to face.

“We have to make sure that of all the opposition they face in the next five or six weeks Southampton is one that is just beyond them.”

Hughes is likely to have Mario Lemina available for selection after the midfielder limped off at Bournemouth.

“Mario Lemina came off against Bournemouth and was a little sore earlier in the week but we are pleased there is no significant damage so it looks like he will be fit as long as he doesn’t have any reaction to the work he has done. He hyper extended his left knee but it doesn’t look like any serious damage was done,” reported Hughes.

“Apart from him other than long term injuries we have nobody unavailable.”