Southampton boss Ronald Koeman expects to have key midfielders Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin available again when he takes his top-four chasing side to QPR on Saturday.

The pair have both missed the last three games and Saints certainly needed them last weekend when they were surprisingly beaten 1-0 at home by Swansea City.

However, the duo have been back in full training this week and the expectation is that they will go straight back into Koeman’s starting XI for the trip to Loftus Road.

“They’ve trained all week,” the Dutchman said. “We’ll have to wait for the reaction to their last session but they should be back this weekend.”

Koeman has overseen a better-than-expected campaign at St Mary’s since he succeeded Mauricio Pochettino following his decision to take the Tottenham job in the summer.

They currently sit in fourth in the Premier League and are well on course to claim a place in next season’s Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

The former Feyenoord manager feels confidence is high as they look to maintain their form between now and May, although he does not want more injuries to further restrict his options.

“We will try to do the maximum,” Koeman added. “The most important thing is to believe in your qualities and that we can make this season very special.

“If we keep everyone fit – and that’s key for us – then we can fight for the top positions in the table.”

Saints are 1.86 favourites to win at Loftus Road, QPR are on offer at 4.12, while the draw is 3.45.