Ronald Koeman: 'European commitments will make impact in top-four race'

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that the difficulties of playing in Europe will have a big impact on their rivals in the battle for a place in the top four.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all return to action in Europe later this month, and the Saints, who have also been knocked out of the FA Cup, could benefit from a kinder fixture list, according to the Dutchman.

"We don't play in the cup, we don't play European football and they have to. That's difficult because then you will get more injuries, maybe some players are not feeling well, a little bit tired after playing a lot and that can be an advantage for us, to keep strong," Koeman told reporters.

In the last one-and-a-half months we didn't train a lot, because we play a lot of games. Now we are back in normally, weekend, weekend and again we can train to develop ourselves and develop the individual player and to give the players more attention about each position.

"If you play more games then sometimes you will get more injuries, and you need more players and it's difficult. But we know that teams like Tottenham, like Liverpool, it's normal that they will fight for the places up in the table."

Southampton, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League, meet Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.