GREEN MUST STAY & FIGHT FOR NO.1 SPOT

THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN has assured Rob Green he still has a first-team future at Leeds – even at the grand old age of 37.

Green was former Elland Road boss Garry Monk’s undisputed first-choice keeper as United just missed out on last season’s play-offs.

And a series of good performances earned the ex-England man a new contract at Elland Road. But Green has since been frozen out, with Christiansen preferring Felix Wiedwald, a £500,000 summer signing from Werder Bremen.

And he will keep his place at home to Preston today. But the United manager said: “Rob is a very important player still for us, because of his great quality and his experience.

“I know a lot about him, and I want him to stay here. I can understand he wants to play in the first team, and I have told him I want him to fight for the spot.”

The goalkeeping situation has given former striker Christiansen his first big selection headache.

But he added: “I have watched closely both Rob and Felix in pre-season, and it is clear there is not a lot to choose between them.”