Manu Tuilagi will be available for England selection after the World Cup after it was announced he has signed a new one-year contract with Sale.

Tuilagi has ended speculation that he could join the exodus of Red Rose stars heading for the Top 14 in France by extending his stay at the Sharks, the club he joined from Leicester in 2020.

The news that he will remain in the Gallagher Premiership has been confirmed on the same day that Courtney Lawes committed his future to Northampton, giving England head coach Steve Borthwick a double boost.

A Rugby Football Union rule means that players based overseas are unavailable for international selection.

Tuilagi’s time in Manchester has been marred by significant hamstring and Achilles injuries, but the powerful centre of Samoan origin remains an influential figure at Sale.

“My family and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to stay up north for another year,” Tuilagi said.

“It was an easy decision. I love coming to work every day and I couldn’t ask for a better environment on and off the pitch.

“We’re so tight as a group, which is why I think we’ve had such a good run this season. There couldn’t be a better time to be a Shark.”

Tuilagi won his 51st cap during the recent Six Nations and has also made a Test appearance for the Lions in 2013.

“This deal says so much about this club and what we’re building, but it says more about Manu the man,” Sale boss Alex Sanderson said.

“It says so much about what really matters to him and that’s rare in professional sports people.

“Manu is really happy here but I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to stay. For us and for Manu and his family, I think it’s the right decision.

“Manu has been part of winning squads with Leicester and England and this environment is the one he seems to be enjoying and thriving in the most.”

Fulham will hope to finish what has been an impressive season strongly but manager Marco Silva is already looking ahead to trying to build on it.

The Cottagers’ hopes of a place in Europe have evaporated amid a run of five defeats from their last seven games, but their first campaign back in the Premier League has still exceeded all expectations.

They have six games left, starting with Sunday’s visit of Manchester City, before another important summer.

Silva told skysports.com: “I can tell you we have the big plan for the next season already there, we’re already on track.

“This season was one of the most important seasons for Fulham Football Club so far because, after the last two Premier League seasons, where the club didn’t perform at that level – for many reasons, I don’t want to be unfair because I wasn’t here – this season was crucial for the club to remain in the Premier League.

“We are doing it and we are doing it playing well, improving players, making the fans proud of us.

“We are building the momentum and the platform for next season as well. Next season will probably be even more important than this one because we have to start to sustain this club in the Premier League for everyone to see Fulham as a Premier League club.

“I believe it’s where the club belongs and, for this to happen season after season, we have to do the right things on the pitch and off the pitch and show the ambition to compete with all the clubs like we’ve been doing on the pitch, but at the same time off the pitch as well.”

Silva, who is set to celebrate two years in charge at Craven Cottage at the beginning of July, knows that Fulham’s exploits this season have raised the bar for future campaigns.

He does not have a problem with that, though, saying: “Our fans have expectations (on) a different level and it’s a good sign they raise their expectations.

“First, it shows they believe in ourselves, it reflects what we’re doing – to make them believe more, to dream more, that’s a consequence from our performance. It’s a good feeling, a good pressure, a privilege to have this pressure and raise the expectations on yourself.

“It’s up to us to prepare well ourselves. For us to do the same or even better next season we have to do many things.”

England international Courtney Lawes has signed a new contract with Gallagher Premiership club Northampton.

The 34-year-old forward has endured an injury-hit season, greatly limiting his opportunities for club and country.

Lawes last played Test rugby during the 2022 summer tour to Australia, when he captained England.

Saints have not specified the length of deal, but it is understood to run until the end of next season.

He will now prolong his stay at Franklin’s Gardens, having first featured for Northampton in 2007 and gone on to make 263 appearances, and it comes as another boost for the English game following Manu Tuilagi signing fresh terms with Sale.

“The club means a lot to me personally, and I wanted to stay here,” Lawes said.

“I especially didn’t want to leave at the end of a season where I have not played much, and I have not made as big a contribution as I would have wanted.

“It wouldn’t have felt right to me to leave now, so I was really keen to continue at Saints for that reason, but also because it’s so important for us as a squad to continue to build on what we’ve done over the last few seasons.”

Lawes made his England debut 14 years ago and also toured twice with the British and Irish Lions – to New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa four years later – making five Test appearances.

Northampton rugby director Phil Dowson added: “Courtney is an incredible player – one of the very best in the world, whether he is playing in the second-row or at flanker.

“His international experience with England and the Lions is almost unparalleled, but off the field he gives our group so much in terms of confidence and leadership.

“I am sure a lot of clubs over in France and Japan would have been keen to see Courtney turn out for them for the next few years.

“I know our supporters will be thrilled that he has decided to stay in Northampton and remain a one-club man, as he’s one of the best to have ever worn the black, green and gold.”

Charles Leclerc will start today’s sprint race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from pole position.

A day after he raced to the top spot in qualifying for Sunday’s main event, Leclerc was fastest again to put his Ferrari at the front for the 17-lap dash in Baku on Saturday evening.

Leclerc broke his front wing after thudding into the wall during his final run but the Monegasque’s first effort in Q3 was fast enough for him to take the spoils.

He qualified 0.147 seconds ahead of Sergio Perez with Max Verstappen third.

George Russell qualified fourth, two places ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes. Carlos Sainz, who was held up behind team-mate Leclerc following his accident, finished fifth.

Lando Norris made it through to Q3 but under the rules he was unable to take part because he did not have a set of new soft tyres available – an error by his McLaren team. He will start in 10th place.

“I tried to push again and I lost it in Turn 5, but it doesn’t have any consequence on qualifying,” said Leclerc following his accident.

“But I was very happy with the first lap and now we have to convert that into the race.

“We will go for it. We need to be realistic and we have been on the back foot in the race behind the Red Bulls so far this year, but hopefully we will have a good surprise.

“Ferrari needs to be on top and I will give absolutely everything to win.”

Formula One bosses have changed the format in Baku by introducing two qualifying sessions.

Friday’s result decided the order for Sunday’s Grand Prix, with Saturday’s second shorter qualifying session determining the grid for the first of six sprint events this season which takes place at 17:30 local time today (14:30 BST).

Earlier, Q1 ended prematurely after Logan Sargeant put his Williams in the wall. The rookie American lost control of his machine at Turn 15 before slamming into the barrier.

Sargeant sustained significant damage to the right rear of his Williams in the accident, with his mechanics now facing a race against time to fix his car for the sprint race.

Sargeant pointed the finger of blame at Sainz. “The Ferrari was in the middle of the road,” he yelled over the radio.

Alex Albon impressed to qualify seventh for Williams, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Points are rewarded for the top eight in the sprint, with the outcome of today’s race having no bearing on tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Ruben Selles admits Southampton’s trip to Champions League-chasing Newcastle is the first of five must-win games as his struggling side attempt to pull off a Premier League great escape.

The division’s bottom club sit six points adrift of safety ahead of Sunday afternoon’s challenging visit to St James’ Park.

Saints manager Selles acknowledges time is running out and wants his players to be brave as they bid to secure a shock result and keep alive their slim survival hopes.

“I think we have been talking about that in the last five to six games,” the Spaniard said of must-win fixtures.

“Of course it’s a game that we must win and every game has become a game that we must win, more now than ever.

“And that’s what we’re going to try, we’re going to try to go for it.

“I will keep my positivity until the very end. I still think we can do it and I still think everybody in the club is able to do it.

“We just need to keep that belief because then things can change.”

Southampton are on an alarming eight-match winless run following Thursday’s meek 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, which was a club-record 11th home defeat of the season.

Meanwhile, third-placed Newcastle have been in freescoring form as they close in on a return to European football’s premier competition for the first time in 20 years.

Selles believes victory at Chelsea in his first match in charge and draws against Tottenham, Manchester United and leaders Arsenal demonstrates his under-performing players are capable of upsetting the odds.

“I think they have proved that they are good enough to win games in the Premier League and then we have made some good performances against the top teams,” he said.

“That should be the boost we need to use for the next game. We need to go against one of the top teams again and everybody should be ready for the challenge.

“It’s not an easy situation. We need to be on point for that game.”

Ryan Mason is confident Son Heung-min will be key in Tottenham’s efforts to finish a poor season strongly.

Son scored his 13th goal of the campaign in Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United and it was the fourth home fixture in a row where he had found the net.

It has been a difficult campaign for the South Korean, who has been open about his struggles in front of goal and a lack of confidence, but Spurs’ acting head coach talked up the 30-year-old and his desire to never hide in the tough moments this term.

“Sonny is a robust player and pretty much plays week in, week out most seasons. We appreciate him, value him as a player and he is a team player which first and foremost is the most important thing,” Mason said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

“I think Sonny is at his best when he is attacking the line, attacking space. We saw that the goal came from that combination with him and Harry (Kane) and when Harry gets on the ball, Sonny comes alive.

“Sonny’s had many chances this season and probably could have ended up with 20 to 25 goals at this stage of the season if he had been a bit more clinical or had a bit more luck at times.

“The most pleasing thing for me is throughout the season… yes Sonny has been disappointed he hasn’t scored more goals… but ultimately he has always got in the positions and continued to make the runs.

“When you’re an attacking player that is key because at some point your luck will change, the goal will go in and you’ll find rhythm and start scoring again.

“Hopefully Sonny will be key for us in the next five games.”

This weekend’s clash at Anfield will see last season’s joint-Premier League golden boot winners go head-to-head, with Mohamed Salah set to spearhead the Liverpool attack.

Salah also struggled during the first half of the campaign but has been in form since and Tottenham will face a confident Jurgen Klopp team who have not lost at home in the top flight since October.

Spurs’ own record at Anfield is poor, with no victory there since 2011.

Mason admitted: “It’s a difficult place to go, we’re aware of that and as you rightly say I think recent history probably suggests that.

“I don’t think on Sunday years gone by are going to influence the outcome of the match or the mindset we approach it with.

“We’re going to be confident and confident in our ability and if we perform to our best with the ball we can hurt them.”

Tottenham’s top-four hopes essentially ended after last weekend’s thrashing at Newcastle but they do still have Europa League aspirations.

Captain Hugo Lloris will be absent on Sunday with a hip injury and Mason will hope to see more pride restored by his team.

“Every club has its history, its DNA and I think it’s important to tap into that,” Spurs’ third boss of the campaign reflected.

“As a fan of the club, I remember going to the Lane when I was younger and of course people work all week to go and watch their team and be excited.

“We want to give the fans that. In the game (against Manchester United) I hope they went home and felt the team were working for the badge, for each other because I felt the fans were with us from minute one and that’s a big thing for any club.

“As fans you want to watch your team and feel pride. I think we gave them that.”

Unai Emery believes Aston Villa and Manchester United will do battle for a top-four spot on Sunday both in “different moments” to when they met earlier in the season.

Emery celebrated his first game as Villa manager in November with a memorable 3-1 Premier League home win over Erik ten Hag’s side.

United exacted revenge four days later with a Carabao Cup victory at Old Trafford, the Red Devils going on to win the competition and lift their first trophy for six years.

The two sides meet again nearly six months on with Emery having transformed Villa from relegation candidates to Champions League outsiders, six points behind fourth-placed United who have two games in hand on their Midlands rivals.

Emery said: “For us, it’s a very good challenge, it will be a very different match on Sunday to when we played at home when I arrived here.

“Very different match to when we played in the Carabao Cup there and lost 4-2.

“Now is a different moment for them and for us. But, as well, it will be very difficult for us.

“I think we can face the match, we can be very demanding trying in the 90 minutes to get our best performance. And if we do it, we can have chances to take some points.”

Villa have climbed to sixth after a 10-game unbeaten run that has seen them collect 26 points.

United’s run of three successive league wins was brought to an end by Thursday’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham, which saw them give up a two-goal interval lead.

Emery said: “Of course, they have good players individually and collectively.

“This year they are in the top four, like usually Manchester United have to do.

“They won the Carabao Cup final and they are going to play in the FA Cup final – it’s a very good season for them, only to leave from the Europa League. I think they are having a very good season.”

Emery believes playing in the Europa League or Europa Conference League next season is a more realistic prospect than qualifying for the Champions League through a top-four finish.

Villa have a tough run-in after visiting Old Trafford with games against Wolves and fellow European hopefuls Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton.

“I like to play matches like we are playing now,” Emery said. “I think this is the best moment you can have.

“We have to be very focused. I like to play under pressure because, for me, it’s not negative pressure, it’s positive pressure.

“I’m not thinking ‘if I will win’ or ‘if I will lose’. I’m thinking, ‘I want to play’, because in this moment we are really playing for something important.”

Everton manager Sean Dyche believes a softness has crept into his side’s game that has derailed their bid for Premier League safety.

A 10-match run with just one win has left the 19th-placed Toffees facing the prospect of losing their 69-year top-flight status and Monday’s match against fellow strugglers Leicester has taken on must-win importance.

But Dyche, who took six points from his first three games after replacing Frank Lampard in late January, is confident the kind of performance which saw them beat Premier League leaders Arsenal in his maiden match in charge can be rekindled in time to save them from the drop.

Although the first 25 minutes of Thursday’s match at home to Newcastle may have been encouraging, the lowest scorers in England’s top five divisions – with 25 in 33 games – failed to trouble goalkeeper Nick Pope and their second-half capitulation was hugely damaging to already-fragile confidence.

“We made some strides when we came in but it has softened again and we need to pick it up really quickly as there are five big ones coming, that’s for sure,” Dyche said.

“I don’t use the word worry, it’s realities. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and I saw it against Fulham (where they lost 3-1 having got back on level terms). It’s a correction that needs to be made.

“There’s no point worrying because worrying isn’t going to solve anything, work solves things: work on the training pitch, work with the players. That’s what takes away any problems.

“I think we can do it. A very similar side (to the one which lost to Newcastle) beat Arsenal in my first game so there’s the evidence it can be done.

“It’s bringing back that edge and performance.”

Dyche believes his players have to concentrate on improving the smaller details which have such an effect at both ends of the pitch.

“It is fair to say the thing that gets in the way is the details of what’s going on, the tightness if you’re not doing well,” he added.

“The next one (game) will be a case of saying ‘right lads, a lot of the basic principles of what we are doing are correct but the details are massively important and every detail counts’.

“Every time you get into the box you have to believe you are going to score a goal. Those are the details which are going to get you a win.

“There is only so much we can change. There’s a format here that can work, it’s proven to work. We need a sharpness to that performance.”

Dyche urged his side to embrace the pressure of Monday’s crucial match.

“Whatever game it is my mindset is to take it on, that’s what I learned as a player, regardless of it being a big game or a small game,” he said.

Gary O’Neil feels contrasting results against Tottenham and West Ham this month show Bournemouth cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal as they seek to secure Premier League safety.

Dango Ouattara’s stoppage-time winner gave Bournemouth a 3-2 win at Tottenham a fortnight ago but the Cherries were shell-shocked last weekend after a 4-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers West Ham.

Bournemouth rebounded by edging out local rivals Southampton on Thursday to give themselves some breathing room in the bid to beat the drop, moving to 36 points, seven clear of the bottom three.

With five matches left this season, O’Neil insisted Bournemouth will not be resting on their laurels ahead of Sunday afternoon’s clash against Javi Gracia’s Leeds, who are also scrapping for survival.

“It’s still about avoiding the bottom three,” said the Bournemouth boss. “I don’t feel any more comfortable at all. I still feel like, at this moment in time, we could be relegated.

“I think maybe the world felt when we left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that we were fine and then you get a performance against West Ham where we let ourselves down.

“That’s a real good lesson for the boys around achieving a good result that everyone thinks means that you’re OK and everything’s good and rosy and then you get a real kick up the backside a few days later.

“We learned that lesson last week and hopefully that prepares us well for what will be a tough ask against Leeds.”

Leeds defeated Bournemouth 4-3 in an enthralling encounter when they met in November at Elland Road and the Whites go into the return fixture having had two extra days to recover after playing Leicester on Tuesday.

A 1-1 draw against the Foxes snapped a three-match losing streak and while Bournemouth have won three of their last four, O’Neil is reading little into the form of the respective teams.

“There needs to be a lot of work done in a short space of time to make sure we turn up right from the start against Leeds,” added O’Neil.

“We don’t have time to ease ourselves into this one, they play in an intense way.

“They’ll have seen the start against West Ham, I’m sure, and they’ll be keen to come and impose themselves in front of our crowd and try and make it an awkward afternoon for us.

“There’s a real focus from me on trying to get the boys ready to start off all guns blazing.”

Leeds boss Javi Gracia admitted only three points will do from Sunday’s Premier League game at relegation rivals Bournemouth.

Gracia’s side missed the chance to move four points clear of the bottom three in midweek when held 1-1 by fellow strugglers Leicester at Elland Road and have taken only one point from their last four matches.

The Spaniard has so far refused to label any of his previous games as ‘must-win’, but after dropping two points on Tuesday night only five matches remain in their bid to retain top-flight status.

Gracia said: “In the situation we are in, for sure we need to put everything into this game because we have missed the last chances and we have to take the next one.”

After Sunday’s trip to the south coast, Leeds face title-chasers Manchester City away before a trip to West Ham is sandwiched by home games against top-four challengers Newcastle and Tottenham.

Confidence is in short supply at Elland Road after damaging recent 5-1 and 6-1 home defeats to Crystal Palace and Liverpool were followed by a 2-1 loss at Fulham.

But a spirited display against Leicester has convinced Gracia his players believe they can recapture the form which earned them wins against Southampton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest under the Spaniard.

“I think the confidence is coming from all the things we have done before,” he said. “The players did it and they can do it again.

“First of all they are professionals and in my opinion, they are very good professionals and you have to manage or to deal with it. You have to handle it.

“There are moments when you feel better and there are moments when you feel worse, but in all of them you have to show your professionalism and give your best.

“Now is the crucial moment of season and now is when, feeling better or worse, you have to give your best. It is something simple like that.

“We have to keep going, keep working the way we are doing and I’m sure doing that, we’ll be able to change the dynamic we have.”

Leeds’ survival bid was dealt a blow with news this week that winger Luis Sinisterra has been ruled out of the final five games due to an ankle injury sustained against Leicester.

It remains to be seen whether Gracia relents to fan pressure and starts with Italy forward Willy Gnonto in Sinisterra’s absence or opts for Crysencio Summerville.

Key defender Max Wober (hamstring) remains doubtful, while Leeds have yet to confirm if Tyler Adams will feature again this season. The USA captain has missed the last seven games after hamstring surgery.

Eddie Howe is hoping Newcastle’s united front can propel them all the way to the Champions League.

The Magpies eased themselves two points clear of Manchester United in third place in the Premier League table as a result of Thursday night’s 4-1 win at Everton as Erik ten Hag’s men, who have a game in hand, were pegged back to draw 2-2 at Tottenham.

They will hope to strengthen their position further with an eighth victory in nine attempts when basement boys Southampton head for St James’ Park on Sunday, a run which has put a smile on head coach Howe’s face.

Asked how much he is enjoying his job, the 45-year-old said: “Winning is everything. Of course, it’s what you are paid to do and it’s what you plan to do, and I’m so proud of everyone connected with the club this year and what we’ve given, players, staff, board, everyone.

“We feel really united at the moment. Things are going well. We’re not taking that for granted because we know how quickly it can change, but we’re enjoying the feeling we’re having and long may that continue.”

Much has been made of the money Howe has been able to invest to bolster the squad he inherited from predecessor Steve Bruce, with the club’s Saudi-backed owners having forked out in excess of £250million on the likes of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier.

However, the degree to which existing players have developed – in particular Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff, Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy – under his guidance has been remarkable.

Howe left defender Dan Burn, who had been unwell, Murphy and Isak out of his starting line-up at Goodison Park after Sunday’s 6-1 demolition of Tottenham, with one-time talisman Allan Saint-Maximin still injured, yet still saw his team power its way to a comprehensive victory.

It would be no surprise if he rotated once again – both Callum Wilson, who helped himself to a double at Everton, and Isak have found themselves sitting on the bench the game after scoring twice in recent weeks – although that may come as little consolation to the relegation-haunted Saints.

Howe said: “There is a real confidence about the group of players we have. Regardless of who we pick at the moment, it seems that confidence is there in the group. Confidence is such a key thing in any footballer and any team.

“The key thing for us is not to take that for granted and not to back off from what we’re doing to create that and what the players are doing to create that. There’s a lot of hard work going in and we need to not take our eye off the ball.”

Pep Guardiola believes Kevin De Bruyne is now reaping the benefits from spending some time on the Manchester City bench.

The Belgium playmaker was outstanding as treble-chasing City overpowered Premier League leaders Arsenal 4-1 to seize complete control of the title race on Wednesday.

De Bruyne scored two goals and set up another, underlining his return to form just as their season enters its most crucial phase.

Only last month City manager Guardiola openly criticised the performances of the player, who found himself among the substitutes four times in the space of nine Premier League games.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fulham, Guardiola said: “He is the same player as a month ago – same personality, same exceptional player, whether I decide he doesn’t play or if he plays.

“But we cannot demand every player – during a career of seven, eight, nine, 10 years – play every three days for 11 months, then rest three weeks, then come back for pre-season and go to Asia.

“Sometimes sitting and not playing is good. It is not to punish. Sometimes you have to see it and realise, to refresh your mind a little bit, let him notice that his standards are so, so high.

“In three days you have another game, another opportunity and you can show how happy you are playing football.”

The statistics suggest the rest did De Bruyne good. The issue is relative of course, as even at the time of Guardiola’s criticisms, the inspirational De Bruyne had registered 17 assists in his first 34 appearances of the season.

Yet such are the high standards the 31-year-old has set in the past that he clearly had another level.

In his eight appearances since he has notched another seven assists and weighed in with four goals.

His figures, though, are eclipsed by those of the remarkable Erling Haaland, with whom he has struck up a formidable partnership.

The Norwegian took his overall goal tally for the campaign to a remarkable 49 by scoring City’s fourth in Wednesday’s win.

He has also now struck 33 in the Premier League, just one short of the record 34 held jointly by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer. He also has eight assists in all competitions.

Guardiola said: “Kevin is a master of the assist with or without Erling. Erling scores goals all the time with or without Kevin but, together, they are so dangerous.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hopes the re-emergence of former academy midfielder Curtis Jones will show the club do not always have to look to the transfer market.

The 22-year-old has started the last five matches – which has brought two draws and three wins – after an injury-affected season which has limited him to just 17 appearances.

Jones missed two and a half months at the start of the campaign and was then sidelined for all of November and December and the whole of February as the club tried to manage a troublesome stress problem in the tibia of his right leg.

But with the established over-worked midfield tiring and in need of refreshment, his return to fitness has coincided with Liverpool’s best form.

And while Jones may not be a player who excites the fans like a high-profile new arrival would, Klopp believes there is still a place for him.

“That he has now five games in a row is absolutely great,” he said.

“It didn’t look for a long time during the season that these kind of things would be possible because he had a freakish injury.

“We had to be super careful with him. Even when he was back in training, he wasn’t allowed to train a normal training week and that time when he came back in the team, we were still involved in European football so it meant we don’t train properly and that makes it really difficult for players who come back to get up to speed.

“Now you can see with Curtis, always the boys from the academy, people fancy big transfers.

“So if an academy boy plays good football, it is ‘OK, but I would prefer bringing him in, bringing him in and bringing him in’.

“So I’m really happy for Curtis that he could show up now again. He really deserves it.”

While Jones may not be the most glamorous name in Liverpool’s starting line-up, his presence has helped re-energise the centre of the park and the current run of 11 points from the last 15 has kept them in with an outside chance of making the top four.

Victory over fellow contenders Tottenham on Sunday would maintain that momentum but Champions League football remains an outside bet for Klopp’s side.

The next-best option would be the Europa League, where Klopp found the side when he took over in October 2015 and guided to the final that season, and the manager is realistic about their prospects.

“We take what we get, that’s how it is. It’s not that we started the season and said if we qualify for the Europa League it would be fantastic but the season taught us a few things,” he added.

“If it’s Europa League then it’s Europa League, absolutely fine. For what we qualify is not, for me, so interesting.

“I want to create a basis that we qualify for the best possible scenario pretty much, so squeeze everything out.

“I want to play the best possible football – if we get nothing for that at the end of the season then we created that situation earlier in this year.

“And whatever happens until the end of the season, these last seven, eight, nine, 10 weeks then will be very important as well for the next season.”