Southampton boss Martin thanks Warnock for advice he followed

However, the Saints boss admitted he did not go for the Chinese tipped and opted for a healthier option this week ahead of the playoffs.

Saints visit West Brom in the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final on Sunday refreshed by last weekend’s 2-1 win away to Leeds.

Victory at Elland Road came on the back of three consecutive defeats for Saints, ending hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Warnock has won a record eight promotions as a manager and, in his role as a TV pundit, had told Martin to take his players “for a Chinese” after they had been thrashed 5-0 at Leicester in the middle of that run.

Saints boss Martin told the Daily Echo: “I think when someone as wise and as experienced as Neil Warnock tells me to take the team out for a meal, he’s spot on.

Saints manager Russell Martin told how a meal out has helped preparation for his side's final Premier League promotion push (Image: PA)

“It was a nice meal but it wasn’t a Chinese, it was a little bit healthier than that. I thank him for that advice.

"He was right that the players, after such an intense schedule, just needed it. The staff too. We were all together with the owners and the executive team here.

“We worked hard in the morning and had some food. We spent some time together and set the stall out for what is to come.

"I think it was good advice and we took it," Martin concluded.

Saints finished the Championship season in fourth place and 12 points above West Brom, while beating Albion both home and away.

Eighteen-goal marksman Che Adams was withdrawn at Elland Road, with Martin saying the Scotland striker has had to be “managed” ahead of Sunday.

Ross Stewart is expected to be on the bench again after a late cameo at Leeds, his first action since suffering a hamstring injury in November.