Leeds United’s Pablo Hernandez spoke to the press about the importance of Friday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Derby County.

United entertain the Rams at Elland Road, looking to go eight points clear of Steve McClaren’s side with a victory.

Following McClaren’s re-appointment as Derby manager in October, the former England boss has helped the Rams climb to just one place outside the Play-Off places and Hernandez doesn’t think it will be easy to record a fifth straight win at Elland Road.

“It will be a difficult game, we know this because we lost 1-0 when we last played against Derby and they are a strong team,” said Hernandez.

“We are focused on the next game and this is the most important game of the season because it is the next one.

“Currently I think we are in a good moment and we can get the win, we want to open a gap between us and Derby.

“It is important for us to open a gap between us and seventh, because you can play more calmly on the pitch which is a benefit to us, knowing that gap is there.

“Newcastle and Brighton are strong teams and it won’t be easy to catch them, but I think it is a mistake to think they are already guaranteed promotion.

“We all want to try and get to the Premier League this season, but we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves and we just need to take it game by game.

“It is not an easy challenge for us, but I think we have a chance if we keep continuing in the positive way we have been and I would be very happy if I could help the club achieve this and play in the Premier League with Leeds United.”

LUTV subscribers can see the full press conference with Pablo Hernandez below: