STOKE City boss Steven Schumacher has labelled Saints "a really good team" who will be trying to react when the two sides meet at St Mary's. 

Defeats in the past week to Cardiff City and Leicester City have put paid to Saints' automatic promotion hopes.

The Potters, who are still not mathematically safe from relegation, will be looking to cause a further blow to Southampton's confidence at a crucial stage of the season.

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to the south coast, Schumacher has warned his players to expect a response from Russell Martin's men.

He insisted: “Southampton are a really good team.

“They had a poor result the other night at Leicester City and similarly at Cardiff City too so I know what Russell (Martin) will be saying to his players this week. 

"He will be trying to get a reaction out of them to make sure they put in a good performance on Saturday. That is why we have to make sure we are on it.

“It won’t be an easy game because they have unbelievable players for this level and have shown at times that they can be one of the best teams in possession.

“They will be up for it and we need to make sure that we are as well.

“We are going to one of the best teams in the division, a team who have a strong home record and we have to prepare like it is the biggest game of the season, which it could be."

Midfielders Lynden Gooch and Ben Pearson remain out injured with hamstring injuries for Saturday's visitors, while forward Ryan Mmaee will also be missing.

Schumacher continued: "Like with any match, if you can get your plan right, be aggressive, and execute your game plan the way you want then you've got a chance in this division.

"It proves like that every week. We have to go there with a belief we can get something from this game."

Martin got the better of the opposing manager on the opening day of the season when Saints beat Schumacher's Plymouth Argyle side 2-1 - with Che Adams scoring a late winner.