Saints will need to win the majority of their remaining games to have a chance of qualifying for Europe, according to manager Ronald Koeman.

Defeat to Leicester last weekend didn’t harm Saints’ ambitions too much, with rivals also slipping up.

But the margin for error is getting slimmer with just six games remaining and only the top six currently guaranteed European football.

Saints welcome relegation threatened Newcastle to St Mary’s tomorrow and Koeman admits it’s a game they have to win.

“Now every defeat can stop your ambition,” he said.

“We knew that before the Stoke game. We spoke to each other and said Stoke and Liverpool were two must-win games, and this Saturday is also a must-win game after the defeat to Leicester.

“It's difficult to think how many points you need to have at least the sixth position. I don’t know, but if you win your home games you have a possibility.

“I don't think that nine points is enough to get that European place, we need more, we know and it starts on Saturday.

“It's not really my focus for the home games, we need to win most of the six and then we will get a good opportunity.”

Saints made it into Europe last season after finishing seventh with 60 points.

They currently sit in the same position but needing another 13 points to reach last season’s tally.

However, Koeman doesn’t feel that total will necessarily be required for European football.

“That will be difficult (to get more than 60 points) but that’s part of the Premier League of this season,” he reflected.

“I think all the teams don’t have finally the same options as last season.

“There are more games with unpredictable results in the whole season and I think less points than 60 is enough for European football.”

He added: “Of course we can make it but it starts with winning the game.

“Even closer to the final part of the league you need wins and points.

“We had not a good result last week but the teams around us also not so we can make a big step by winning the game on Saturday.”