MAYA Yoshida thinks a win against Newcastle on Saturday will be enough to keep Saints in the Premier League.

The south coast side saw their eight-point cushion above the relegation zone shrink to five after Cardiff’s 2-0 victory against Brighton on Tuesday.

But with only five games remaining, Yoshida thinks Saints can get the job done once and for all at St. James’ Park.

“People are saying we are already safe, but I don’t think so,” revealed the Japanese international.

“We have to concentrate until the end. Our target is 40 points and if we win the next game then I’d probably say we are safe.

“They [Newcastle] are already safe but if you look back at our last few games, we are a much better team now.

“Our confidence means that we feel we can win more games and we still have five left where we will try to evolve.”

Saints have won four of their last six games, including a dramatic encounter against Tottenham Hotspur.

Since Ralph Hasenhuttl’s December arrival, the St Mary’s side have been on an upward trajectory, both in performances and league position.

And Yoshida, who had to regain his starting spot back from Jack Stephens after the Asian Cup in January, has warned Saints not to get complacent with their recent run of results.

He added: “We have put the effort in for every single game and the manager has had the plan for every game to try to prepare us.

“On the pitch, we are putting a lot of effort in and we are defensively solid and have scored a couple of goals.

“That’s why we are here now, it’s not magic. If we stop doing that kind of thing, then we will stop winning.”

Saints took a break from their preparations for Newcastle yesterday, as they made their annual visit to Southampton General Hospital.

Hasenhuttl’s squad spent time meeting patients, where they handed out signed photos, cuddly toys and posed for photographs.

They visited the children’s cancer ward, elderly citizens, the children’s day surgery unit, the orthopaedic warn and the Saints Foundation disability group.

Speaking at the hospital, Yoshida said it’s vital the club support those who are in need.

“I think we are coming to the hospital every season and that kind of connection between local people and the club is really important,” he continued.

“The football club is a part of Southampton and the people come to watch the games and support us every weekend.

“Sometimes, we should support them if they are struggling. That’s why we come to the hospital every season.

“Not at Christmas time as that is a really busy period for us and they will be getting presents from Santa Claus.

“If we can give something special for them and then they get better, we want to celebrate together.

“Since I had a daughter, I feel really difficult when I see the kids who are struggling with any illness.

“Getting older, my emotions and thoughts are a little bit different.

“Also, the senior people struggling to leave and who are having to stay in the hospital. We can give some life tips and something special. We are here to put a smile on their faces.”

 “It’s emphasised for the kids and as a football club there are great things we can do, not only on the pitch but off it as well.”

Having put a smile on the faces of the patients at Southampton General Hospital, Yoshida is keen to keep the supporters inside St Mary’s satisfied.

The last two home games against Liverpool and Wolves have seen the ground at maximum capacity which is a testament to the transformation Hasenhuttl has made.

Saints’ boss has not only managed to guide his side away from relegation, but he’s also helped bring back the connection between the club and its supporters.

And Yoshida admitted that he has noticed a difference at St Mary’s in recent weeks, which he claims is driving the team forward.

Yoshida added: “I feel that the fans have brought back an atmosphere.

“St Mary’s has been sold out for the last two games and that is a great sign that we are playing well, and they are enjoying it.

“An atmosphere in the stadium really helps us and it has helped us in the last couple of games a lot.

“The fans can probably see that we are playing different football and I can see the fans have a different feeling.”