Wagner plans to stay in town
NATHAN AKE believes Bournemouth can virtually guarantee Premier League survival with victory at old club Watford tomorrow.
The Cherries are eight points clear of the bottom three with seven games to play. And, when asked if a win would seal safety, Ake said: “Yes, almost. We did well to win against West Brom because otherwise it would still be very close.” DAVID WAGNER will not quit if Huddersfield are relegated from the Premier League but he remained coy on his long-term future.
Wagner, 46, has only a year left on his deal as manager and has been linked with clubs in the Bundesliga.
The German held informal discussions with Town chairman Dean Hoyle over a fresh contract during the international break.
When asked if his future in Yorkshire was linked to whether Huddersfield remain in the top flight, Wagner claimed the two were unrelated. “No it isn’t,” he said. “Because I have a contract for one further year and this contract counts for the Premier League and the Championship. To be totally honest, it’s boring isn’t it? I understand you maybe have to ask this question but I have much more important and bigger things to think about at this stage of the season than all the links and rumours.”
Huddersfield are 15th, three points off the drop zone, and tomorrow are away at Newcastle who are two places above them. SWANSEA manager Carlos Carvalhal is hopeful on-loan Renato Sanches can still play a key role in their survival fight. The Euro 2016 winner has gone back to Bayern Munich to recover from a hamstring injury and Carvalhal said: “I don’t know if he will return this week or next week, it depends on Bayern Munich. “We need all of the players and I believe he will recover.” ●FIFA have launched a probe into the pitch invasion by fans of England’s first World Cup opponents Tunisia after Tuesday’s friendly against Costa Rica in Nice.