Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has described Saturday’s match with Brighton as a ‘six-pointer’.

The St Mary’s side are currently three points behind their fellow relegation battlers, although the Seagulls have a game in hand.

Both teams picked up wins before the three-week break, with Brighton securing back-to-back victories over Huddersfield and Crystal Palace.

Hasenhuttl said: “We should focus always on the next game and like the weeks before we knew there were difficult games coming up.

“A similar situation to the period we faced the three opponents near the place in the table. Brighton is three points ahead and with a win, you can come very tight.

“It is a six-point game for sure and can be a big step and also to take a point could be an important one for us.

“The last two away games against Arsenal and Man United we played a good game without points. It would not be the worst thing to play not so good and take points.

“We are focusing on going there with a good match plan and to take points there.”

With eight games to go, Saints find themselves two points above the relegation zone.

And Liverpool aside, they are all against teams outside the top six.

Because of this Hasenhuttl revealed it would be good if Saints were able to reach 40 points, but admitted he’ll take any amount as long as they stay up.

The Saints boss added: “It is possible, but the most important thing is not to go to the last two games and needing wins to stay in. it’s a horrible situation nobody wants.

“If we get 40 it’s perfect. If we don’t and 36 is enough that’s nice.

“We are targeting 40 points and we need three wins and one draw and the sooner we get these points the better.”