WAGNER FEELING CHAMPION

DAVID WAGNER believes that keeping Huddersfield in the Premier League would make him feel like a champion.

Wagner’s side are close to securing an extraordinary survival against the odds, as they travel to Chelsea tonight.

The problem for Huddersfield is that they are in the middle of the toughest run-in of any of the relegation candidates.

But they kicked it off with a shock point at champions Manchester City last weekend and hope to cause another upset at Stamford Bridge before finishing off at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Terriers, who could have midfielder Tom Ince back from a hamstring injury tonight, upset the odds to win promotion via the Championship play-offs, 12 months ago.

And, despite having the lowest wage bill in the top flight, they have managed to keep themselves above the bottom three as they near the finish line.

Antonio Conte’s side are chasing a Champions League spot, but Wagner (right) believes his players would achieve something even greater by staying up.

He said: “If we stay up, it will be like we won the title.

“For me, personally and for us as a football club, to secure our status would be bigger than the achievement of promotion last season – and, for me, it would feel like we won the league.”

Huddersfield’s push for survival has won Wagner many admirers – with Leicester the latest club to be considering a move for him.

Wagner, who has another year to run on his contract, has always maintained that he will sit down with chairman Dean Hoyle at the end of the season to discuss his future.

He said: “The plan hasn’t changed. It is easy to keep focused because I know what the truth is and what isn’t.

“And the truth is I have a clear commitment with Dean [to meet with him] and I will follow it, like I did last year.

“This is why I can easily deal with the speculation. It’s no problem for me.”