Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has admitted that he already has one eye on this summer's European Championship.
The 25-year-old will travel to France with Wales after they qualified for a major tournament for the first time since 1958, but could struggle to nail down a regular first-team spot if chances at club level are hard to come by.
Allen has not been a regular starter for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, but has enjoyed a good spell of form in January and is hoping to continue that resurgence through to the summer.
"I would be lying if I said that [Euro 2016] was not at the back of my mind. There is enough time between now and then for more opportunities so I will keep the faith and hopefully go to the Euros in good nick," he is quoted as saying by PA.
"It's been a tough season with the competition as fierce as ever so any opportunity comes along I've got to show what I can do and I hope the last few weeks can be a springboard to push my way, force my way, into the reckoning for more games.
"But my focus is on making sure I am ready. Sometimes if you are not playing you can take your foot off the pedal a bit and I've wanted to make sure that has not happened. I don't want to get my chance and then blow it. It's testing because everyone wants to play week in, week out, but we'll see what comes of it."
Allen captained Liverpool for the first time in their goalless draw with West Ham United in the FA Cup on Saturday, but could find himself on the bench once again when the Reds take on league leaders Leicester City on Tuesday.
Barney Corkhill
