The Tractor Boys know that winning one of their last two Championship games is very likely going to be enough to secure Premier League status.
Meanwhile, Saints, who are four points behind McKenna’s side in second, know they have to win both of their matches to stand a reasonable chance.
A draw does neither team any favours, with Millwall and Middlesbrough waiting in the wings to capitalise on Saturday’s final day of the season.
A point could leave McKenna, who Saints coach Tonda Eckert has praised as “one of the best” managers in the league, still needing one more win.
“It’s clear that both teams want to win and neither team are going to be holding out for a draw,” said McKenna, whose side host QPR on Saturday.
Kieran McKenna’s side need just one win to go up (Image: PA)
“I think we all know if the game’s tied in the last 10 minutes, then neither of us are going to be sitting on a draw. Of course, a win is the dream scenario.
“But, honestly, I don’t put too much energy into thinking what a relief it would be or what it would feel like or anything like that.
“What the emotions will be if and when we get the result we want this week, whether it’s on Tuesday or Saturday, we’ll deal with those when they come.”
“We’ve faced some of the most in-form teams in the division over recent weeks and Southampton are very much one of those as well.
“It’s going to be another big challenge, but we believe we’ll give them a tough game. They had a big game at Wembley, playing the best team in the world.
“Southampton are the only team with a schedule resembling ours over the last few weeks. So maybe it’s one game that we cannot talk about freshness.
“They’ve found a base system and template that seem to be suiting them as a team. Of course, confidence and momentum has been a massive thing.
“They’ve won on small margins a lot. From Birmingham to Middlesbrough to Norwich, we’ve faced a lot of teams who were in the ‘last chance saloon’.
“It must be a pretty busy saloon!”