Wednesday 14 January 2015 19:11, UK
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman admitted he would rather not have Wednesday's FA Cup replay at Ipswich to contend with but revealed his side would travel to Suffolk in buoyant mood after the first win at Manchester United in 27 years.
Koeman was annoyed his men could not secure a fourth-round place from the original tie against Mick McCarthy's Sky Bet Championship high-flyers at St Mary's on January 4, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Dutchman readily admits the competition is not Southampton's priority but that they would be hell-bent on setting up a top-flight fourth-round tie against Crystal Palace by beating Town.
"The United win will bring a lot of confidence to the players," Koeman said. "We know this will be a tough game and I wasn't happy about the replay because we already play a lot. It is a difficult week.
"But if we have started it like we have, then perhaps it is not so difficult.
We know this will be a tough game and I wasn't happy about the replay because we already play a lot. It is a difficult week.
"Of course, we would like to go on in the FA Cup, but that is not the most important thing - the most important thing is the league.
"But if the players are feeling well and they have good freshness, then I won't change a lot."
Koeman will have to make at least one alteration to his starting line-up from the United match, with Dutch defender Toby Alderweireld having been ruled out for up to four weeks with the hamstring strain that forced him off in the first half of that contest.
Alderweireld's injury is not as serious as first feared but leaves Southampton light in central defence, given Maya Yoshida is currently away with Japan at the Asian Cup.
"I don't know (if we need to sign another centre-half), we have to speak about that," said Koeman, who can also call upon the inexperienced Jason McCarthy.
"We know that Maya will be away for some weeks.
"We knew already if we got some injuries then maybe it can be a problem, but I think in our squad we can do some things to keep going - I was very happy with the performance of Florin against United."
Jack Cork, out of first-team action for nine matches due to an ankle injury, could make his return at Portman Road after featuring for the U21s on Monday.
