MAYA Yoshida admits Saints have reached a ‘do-or-die moment’ in their bid for Premier League survival.

Having lost their last two league games 3-0, Saints are two points from safety but do have a game in hand against Crystal Palace and Huddersfield above them with seven matches to play.

Yoshida has not played since January partly because of a knee injury and partly because Jack Stephens and Wesley Hoedt have become established at centre-back together.

But even if he’s not playing, the Japan international, who has experienced relegation tussles at previous club VVV-Venlo, insists he will ‘try and lead the team’ through a difficult time.

“It really is a do-or-die moment now. We really, really must turn things around, or else... I spent 3 season at Venlo and had seen situations worse than this,” he said, following Saints’ disastrous 3-0 defeat to West Ham.

“I know we can bounce back from here and I hope I can help the team in doing so.”

Yoshida twice helped Dutch side Venlo to survival through the Eredivisie’s relegation play-off system before arriving at Saints in a £3m move in 2012, but has not been involved during Saints’ vital recent run-in.

The 29-year-old’s last Premier League start was on January 2, in Saints’ 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at St Mary’s, though he has been desperate to be involved.

“The only thing I can do is to try my best and wait till I get given the opportunity to play,” he said.

“I will try and lead the team on and off the pitch as much as I can. I am not sure if I get a chance to play in the next game as it is all dependent on the gaffer but if I do, and I hope I do, I will just try my utmost for the team and for the fans.”