Saints are ready for the play-offs - Eckert

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert said that his side are "ready to make the last step" after sealing a fourth-placed finish in the Championship and setting up a play-off semi-final with Middlesbrough.

Saints beat Preston North End away at Deepdale, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ross Stewart and Cyle Larin finding the net.

The will now travel away to the Riverside in a week's time for the first leg of the semi-final, before hosting Kim Hellberg's side at St Mary's on the following Tuesday.

"It was very important to get back to winning ways," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's not easy to play the game like we did today, especially after the schedule we have had over the last few weeks.

"The performance was excellent in every regard possible, the boys were fantastic today, we need to make the last step now and we are ready to do that.

"No-one cares if you go all the way then fall at the last step, the players are the best they have been all season right now, we are ready."