Smalling hoping to end on a high

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is hopeful that he can end the season on a high as he tries to maintain his form going into the European Championships.

The former Maidstone United centre-back is fighting with John Stones, Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill for a starting role at Euro 2016.

He was given a huge confidence boost last week after playing against both Germany and the Netherlands during the international break.

Smalling has managed to stay injury-free this year but he is refusing to rest on his laurels as he tries to grab his spot on the plane to France.

The 26-year-old has now set his sights on helping the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League and he believes a positive end to his domestic season will help him on the international stage.

He told the Express: “It’s good knowing that at United I’ve been playing nearly every game and it’s nice to have played these two games for England.

“At the minute the shirt’s mine and it’s down to me to make sure that I keep it. Overall the season’s been quite disappointing (for United) so we have to give it a real push now and see where we go.

“Ultimately it’s your club form that’s going to dictate whether you start in the Euros or not.

“You can see a lot of the Spurs and the Leicester lads are producing very good performances because they’re doing very well at their clubs.

“And to go (to the Euros) off the back of some club success this season would definitely drive me on.”

With eight games to go, United are four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City and they are priced at 2.75 to qualify for the Champions League.