Saints are aiming to avoid their worst run for a year and a half when they return to action against Wolves on Saturday.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side travel to Molineux on the back of three consecutive Premier League defeats, with the only glimmer of light during that time being the handsome Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The last time Saints lost four league games on the spin was back in March and April 2018.

That all started with a 3-0 defeat away to Newcastle which led to the sacking of Mauricio Pellegrino.

Mark Hughes was appointed until the end of the season and started off with a 2-0 victory at Wigan in the FA Cup, but then suffered three Premier League losses in succession with defeats away to West Ham and Arsenal and at home to Chelsea. A goalless draw against Leicester brought the run to an end.

Saints head to Wolves having suffered defeats to Bournemouth, Tottenham and Chelsea, with the 4-1 loss to the Blues immediately before the international break having been something of a morale sapper.

Wolves are unlikely to be easy opponents having picked up some form heading into the break with three wins on the spin.

They have also won the last two meetings between the sides at Molineux, securing a 2-0 victory last time out with goals from Ivan Cavaleiro and Jonny.

Hasenhuttl is expecting to see his full squad together again for the first time this afternoon as players jet in from around the world following their international commitments.

It is believed that the players are all returning fit for duty, but they will be assessed with Hasenhuttl desperately hoping that none of his plans are affected by late dropouts.

Hasenhuttl has worked hard with the players that have remained at Staplewood to try and address some of the issues that have plagued the team in recent weeks, including trying to build some confidence in a side that looked short of exactly that in the defeat to Chelsea.

The period between the October and November international breaks looks like being a crucial one for Saints with the trip to Wolves followed by a Friday night visit to St Mary’s from high flying Leicester.

Saints then have a double header of trips to Manchester City in the space of five days in the Carabao Cup and then the Premier League before welcoming Everton to St Mary’s.