Ryan Bertrand has insisted that qualifying for the Champions League should be considered a realistic possibility for Southampton.

Ronald Koeman's side have surprised many by climbing to second after 10 games of the new season, and Bertrand, who is currently on loan at the club from Chelsea, insists that falling out of the top four is not an inevitability.

"I wouldn't say the top four was too much of an ask," the 25-year-old defender told the Daily Star. "We're aware that it's still early days and I think we will be able to tell more come January time.

"We are fulfilling more than our expectation but, at the same time, we fully deserve to be there."

Southampton return to action against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.