Cup run can help Leeds in relegation fight - Farke

Leeds won their only FA Cup in 1972 [Getty Images]

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke dismissed suggestions an FA Cup semi-final could distract his side from their Premier League relegation battle, saying it should give them "lots of confidence" instead.

Farke's side beat West Ham on penalties in a dramatic quarter-final to reach the last four for the first time in 39 years.

They sit just three points above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining, returning to Premier League action with a trip to Manchester United on Monday.

Further matches follow against bottom side Wolves (18 April) and mid-table Bournemouth (22 April) before their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on 26 April.

Although Farke is banning his players from discussing the FA Cup, he says the return of the "winning feeling" against West Ham – something they have experienced just twice in 14 league matches since Christmas – can only be "positive".

"We take lots of confidence from it," Farke said. "I can guarantee no-one is distracted right now about the FA Cup semi-finals. I will make sure after this press conference no-one speaks about it.

"There is no excuse for not being focused on the next three games.

"It's definitely a positive. You just have to look in the eyes of the people for how much it means to them.

"It's a different competition. It doesn't help us in terms of points for the Premier League, but there's no replacement for wins and this winning feeling."

Wigan became the first club to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season when they beat Manchester City in the 2013 final.

But while there are significant financial benefits to Premier League survival, with a 17th-place finish earning a club in excess of £10m in merit payments compared to a prize of £2.1m for winning the FA Cup, Farke indicated he will not sacrifice Leeds' shot at Wembley glory.

"We want to grab this with both hands and we will never use this as an excuse [for league performances]," he added.

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