Diego Llorente highlights importance of Fulham clash in Leeds United's own Premier League mission

Newly-promoted United's chief objective upon their first season back in the Premier League has always concerned safeguarding their top-flight status after a 16-year absence.

Friday night will now see the 12th-placed Whites visit a Fulham side who currently occupy the division's third relegation spot in sitting ten points behind the Whites but having played a game more.

Llorente knows that Scott Parker's Cottagers are fighting for survival and could cut the gap to Leeds to seven points if beating Marcelo Bielsa's visitors in Friday night's showdown under the London lights.

But Spanish international defender Llorente says United also have their own mission in mind which concerns more than just keeping themselves above the relegation dotted line.

The Whites are approaching the trip to Craven Cottage following last weekend's goalless draw at home to high-flying Chelsea and Leeds are only five points adrift of ninth place.

Assessing how important the Fulham clash was in the grand scheme of staying in the Premier League, Llorente told BBC Radio Leeds: "I always say in football that the most important game is the next game so Fulham is no exception.

"We know that they are playing and fighting for their survival in the league to stay in the Premier League and we are fighting to get as high as we possibly can.

"We want to really consolidate our position in that upper mid table area of the league and get as high as we can.

"Both me and my team mates, we are all excited about this game coming up at the weekend and I think that after the hard fought point against Chelsea which I think was a good point, it sets you up really now to try and go all out for a victory against Fulham.

"We know how important that game is and it's important to follow a draw up, if you can, with a victory."

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https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins