Mark Hughes: 'Southampton players have clean slate'

New manager Mark Hughes has suggested that he will give a clean slate to his Southampton squad ahead of their remaining fixtures in the Premier League.

Earlier this week, Hughes was named as the replacement for Mauricio Pellegrino, who was removed from his position as head coach after just one win in 17 matches in the top flight.

Despite the club's poor form, Hughes feels that the first-team squad may benefit from a different approach as they look to move away from the relegation zone.

At a press conference, the 54-year-old told reporters: "Perhaps players when they see a change, any disappointment they felt from the previous regime, maybe that lightened a bit I'm sure. I've been through the process where players react in a certain way to a new manager coming in.

"I can only go on what I've seen from afar as an opposition manager, so I know a good deal about these players. If you perform well, you keep the shirt, but the level is high, we're playing in one of the toughest leagues in the world."

Hughes's first game in charge takes place on Sunday when the south coast club face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup quarter-finals.