Mark Hughes calls for Southampton to think clearly ahead of crucial relegation clash with Swansea

Tuesday 8 May 2018 11:41, UK

Mark Hughes has urged his Southampton players to remain calm ahead of an approaching fixture which could determine their Premier League fate.

The Saints travel to fellow relegation candidates Swansea on Tuesday evening, live on Sky Sports.

A win against the south Wales side would see Hughes' team three points clear of their opponents in 18th with one remaining fixture to play and a vastly superior goal difference.

With champions Manchester City set to visit St Mary's on the final day of the season, the clash with Swansea is set to provide Hughes with his best opportunity to oversee his side picking up the points they need to ensure safety and extend their six-year stay in the top flight.

Having conceded an equaliser to Everton in the sixth minute of added time on Saturday after failing to adequately handle the late pressure they were under, Hughes has urged his players to find a bit more composure.

"I think it is just calmness. You have got to deal with pressure, you have got to think clearly," he said.

"Obviously, when things are flying around, you have try to do the right things and you have to take your chances when you create them.

"For the most part, we did that [at Everton]. We proved to ourselves that we have that capability, we just have to do it.

"We just mustn't allow ourselves to be deflated by what's ahead of us and what's just occurred.

"We played well. We are not down, in terms of confidence and in terms how we are playing, we were damaged because we got so close to getting a significant result and a significant victory which clearly would have helped our situation.

"But it is still very much in our hands and very quickly we will get this out of our system and go again."

Midfielder Mario Lemina is a doubt having been taken off at half-time as a precaution after complaining of a tight hamstring, while Maya Yoshida is suspended for his red card at Goodison Park.