Mark Hughes has urged Saints to improve their home form as they prepare for their first game at St Mary’s for three weeks.

Saints have not won at home for six months and host unbeaten Chelsea on Sunday on the back of the morale-boosting Carabo Cup win at Everton on Tuesday.

Hughes is keen to point out that Chelsea’s visit is only the club’s seventh home game since he took over as manager in March.

But a record of one win, two draws and three defeats is one he wants improved.

“I haven’t been in charge of too many home games if I’m honest only six of the 19 since I got this job have been at home,” said Hughes.

“After the weekend two would have been against Chelsea and one against Manchester City so opportunities to get maximum points haven’t been that great.

“But in the other games we should have picked up more points.

“There was a lot of talk before I came here of a different atmosphere at home games; apprehension and fear of being a little bit rigid and wary of being over expansive.

“I think that’s gone. We take the game to the opposition, whoever comes to our ground, and see where that takes us.

“I feel now there’s a more positive situation surrounding our games, When we’ve been in winning positions before we’ve been guilty of trying to protect what we’ve achieved which is not what I advocate.

“We should continue doing what got us into that winning position in the first place. We’re getting better at that.

“Our home form is going to be a big factor in determining what sort of season we have but we’re more than capable of addressing that.”

Meanwhile, Saints expect to have forward Shane Long back in contention against Chelsea.

The Republic of Ireland international missed last weekend's defeat at Wolves due to a toe problem.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, defender Ryan Bertrand and winger Mohamed Elyounoussi have each returned to training following minor injury problems and should be available for selection.