Saturday 21 January 2017 08:57, UK
Southampton manager Claude Puel insists getting back to winning form in the Premier League is more important than any cup success.
Saints entertain Leicester on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, having lost their past four league matches against Tottenham, West Brom, Everton and Burnley.
However, during this run Southampton have knocked Norwich out of the FA Cup after a replay and hold a 1-0 first-leg advantage over Liverpool in the semi-final of the EFL Cup ahead of next week's return at Anfield.
Although Saints have not reached a cup final since 2003, Puel has prioritised victory over Leicester.
"The most important game is Leicester," Puel said. "It is important to stop this situation; the losses in the Premier League.
"We need a good result and points now to be sufficient. After, the cup is a good thing. It is an exciting game and we will have time to consider this game.
"The most important game is Leicester. After, to play Liverpool in the semi-final is another thing."
Puel is looking to build on Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Norwich, and he reiterated league results take precedence.
"It is very important for us," the Frenchman said. "It is important to find the solution and keep the attitude up from the last game because it was very interesting.
"Now it is important to find this efficiency and to take points with all the support of the fans. It is important now to find the solution in a game between two teams in difficulties.
"It is an important game; the maturity and experience of the game will be important without thinking of other games in other competitions."
