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Wolves captain Conor Coady: Man City ban does not distract us

Wolves skipper Conor Coady insists another European place potentially being up for grabs in the Premier League ‘does not matter’.

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With Manchester City banned from Uefa competitions for two seasons for breaching financial fair play rules, subject to appeal, whoever finishes fifth could get into the Champions League.

Wolves are currently seventh, four points off fifth-placed Tottenham, as they look to build on this season’s run to the Europa League last 32 – facing Espanyol at Molineux on Thursday.

But when asked if City’s suspension changes anything for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, Coady said: “Not at all.

“We want to finish the season as strong as possible, we really do. But that doesn’t matter what’s going on with other clubs elsewhere, in other competitions.

“It’s up to us to take it a game at a time, and that’s what we are doing. We’re improving with every single game.

“There are 12 league games left now, and it’s important that we improve in every game, and then see where we are at the end of the season.”

If fifth gets Champions League, sixth would get Europa – and then seventh and eighth would get Europa if top-four teams win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

“We’ve not thought about it. I think there’s spice in the Premier League every single week anyway, that’s what is good about it,” said Coady.

“You look at Sheffield United, for example, and see how well they’re doing. It’s important we just keep improving.”

Coady, meanwhile, is happy to have just had a winter break in the league.

It allowed Wolves to go on another warm-weather training camp in Spain – and the captain says it was needed physically and mentally, for Nuno’s charges and everyone else in the top flight.

“I think it worked quite well, to be honest with you,” said Coady.

“It was important – after a busy period over Christmas. I think it worked quite well.

“We went away to Spain and worked together, trained every day and enjoyed each other’s company.

“We’ve been quite often since the manager has been here.”

He added: “It worked well for us, and I think a lot of other clubs will tell you the same.”