Ronald Koeman has insisted that he is not prepared to jeopardise Southampton's hopes of reaching the Europa League proper by resting his best players for next week's return leg with Vitesse.

The Saints put one foot in the playoffs with a 3-0 first-leg win over the Dutch outfit at St Mary's, courtesy of goals from Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Shane Long.

Given the three-goal cushion, it was suggested that Koeman may leave his heavy hitters at home for the trip to the Netherlands next Thursday, with the Premier League scheduled to start next weekend.

"No, because that's dangerous in football," he told the Daily Echo. "You can't think about the next one. My mentality is that we have to prepare for the next one and the next one.

"The next one is Espanyol and then next Thursday. I hate to be sloppy. Surprises always in football. It's the beginning of the season – why I have to change a lot I don't know.

"It's always difficult because it's always a risk and start and think it will be easy."

Southampton open their league season with a trip to Newcastle United on August 9.