Dennis Wise and Danny Higgonbotham in agreement over Southampton survival chances, highlight key quartet

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Southampton have it all to do to stay up this season with eight games remaining and two former players have predicted their fate.

Southampton currently occupy one of the relegation places but are just two points off safety and boast one of the better goal differences in the relegation battle, which could prove decisive come the end of the season.

The Saints sacked Mauricio Pellegrino and replaced him with former player Mark Hughes, which seems to have given the club and instant lift if the 2-0 away win at Wigan in the FA Cup is anything to go by.

Southampton do face a tough run-in with five of their last eight games away from home and the likes of Leicester City, Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City still to play.

But with fixtures against fellow relegation rivals West Ham and Bournemouth also in there, and their goal difference potentially worth another point,there is still plenty of hope Hughes can keep the south coast club up.

Former Saints players Dennis Wise and Danny Higginbotham were in agreement on Sky Sports Daily over their old club’s survival chances, backing them to stay up.

“I think the timing is perfect for Southampton (bringing in Hughes,” Wise told Sky Sports.

“I think Mark Hughes will come in and he’ll give a bit of discipline inside the team and get a structure to it and I think he’s got enough decent players looking at (the likes of Manolo) Gabbiadini and (Shane) Long that are capable of scoring goals, (Dusan) Tadic as well is a quality player and I think they’ll have enough to get themselves out of this I really do.”

And Higginbotham agreed with Wise, highlighting another key player to their cause.

“Charlie Austin,” Higginbotham said.

“Getting him back, he’s key, I think he’s still their top goalscorer and he’s been out injured since November/December time. You get him fit, you get him back in the team I think the fullbacks – I think there’s only Tottenham that have put more crosses in during the season – so you get him back and I don’t think they’ll have a problem but you’ve got to get him back as soon as possible.”

According to reports Saints could be about to do just that with claims Austin will return to the side for the crucial six-pointer against the Hammers next time out.