SAINTS have been branded “the real deal” by former Arsenal playmaker Freddie Ljungberg.

The 43-year-old said he was impressed with how in-form Saints have been performing this season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are riding high in the Premier League and only three teams in the division have a better away record following Monday night’s 2-1 win at Brighton.

That win took them back into the top five in the Premier League and leaves them just four points off leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Ljungberg said he believes Saints have become a side worthy of their place at the higher end of the table due to their continued run of consistent performances.

The two-time Premier League champion said: “I think they have proved to a lot of people that they are the real deal.

“They go for people all the time and they make it difficult to get out of there and they have some good players up front who create things.

"We saw (Danny) Ings return and it will very important, probably, to get him back to help get those goals.

“But I think they’re the real deal. They’re difficult to play against. We will see if all the energy they put into the game will hurt them later in the season, if they get tired, but for now they look very good.”