Alan Pardew wants Southampton to qualify for the Champions League for the good of the Premier League and football in general.

The boss takes his Crystal Palace side to the south coast tomorrow hoping to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Saints sit third in the Premier League table on the back of six games unbeaten - including wins over Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, having come close with Newcastle United, Pardew knows break the into the top four is not an easy task.

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He said: “It is very difficult to break that ceiling of the four or five big clubs, and the second part of the season is when it really matters.

“At Newcastle, we came within two games of making it, and it really will come down to those last few games for Saints."

He added: “I wish them well I hope they make it. It would be good for Premier League and good for football.

"They are trying to do everything in the right manner in terms of the training ground, the way they go about their transfer business, the way the manager conducts himself the way the players are performing, they deserve to be where they are.”