Ronald Koeman has all but ruled out a miraculous late-season run which would land Southampton Champions League football.

The Saints are placed seventh on the Premier League table, eight points away from a top four spot, but still have the Europa League in their sights as they sit just behind Liverpool and Tottenham who occupy fifth and sixth respectively.

"You have to be realistic. The difference (between us and the top four) is a lot and our focus at the moment has to be about the fifth, sixth and seventh position in the table," he said.

"We'd like to play European football and the fifth and sixth position in the table means European football - and maybe the seventh.

"If you're coach of Tottenham and if you're coach of Liverpool you won't be happy about Europa League.

"But I'm the coach of Southampton and if Southampton reach Europa League it's good. For the others it's the Champions League."

Southampton host 17th-placed Hull City at St Mary's on Saturday.