Southampton manager Ivan Juric has challenged his players to prove they are not "the worst team in the history of the Premier League".

The Saints are bottom of the table, 17 points from safety and facing relegation, having won only nine points from 29 matches.

Derby County hold the record for the lowest tally in Premier League history, finishing bottom on 11 points in 2007-08.

"The team has to be competing and try to do our best. We have to be really motivated," said Juric, whose Southampton side host FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

"I don't want it to be that we are the worst team in the history of Premier League.

"If we can be not the last on the table, we have to do our best, so in this moment, this is our goal. I think we are in good shape, we can do it and we will try to win the match."

Southampton have lost their past five Premier League games and face one of the in-form teams in the Premier League, with Oliver Glasner's Palace winning four of their past five.

Their 3-0 cup win over Fulham on Saturday was the Eagles' fifth victory in a row in all competitions.

Juric added that Saints midfielder Will Smallbone will miss out against Palace because of a groin problem.

Defenders Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are set to be involved, however, despite sustaining knocks while on international duty.