David Moyes has said it's important West Ham United are not involved in the relegation battle as they look to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
The Hammers secured their semi-final place with a 4-1 win over Gent on Thursday night, following a 1-1 draw in Belgium the week prior.
Next up for Moyes' side is two legs against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, with West Ham hoping to go one further than they managed last year when they were dumped out of the Europa League at the last four stage to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
READ MORE: 'The biggest thing' - David Moyes makes Michail Antonio goals admission following Gent brace
As the east London outfit seek to lift their first trophy in 43 years, they will be also be aiming to avoid relegation to the Championship after what has been a disappointing league campaign.
Currently, West Ham are four points clear ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool on Saturday and their own game against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
And for Moyes, the Scot will be hoping to have secured their Premier League status before they take on the Dutch outfit on May 11, with domestic games against the aforementioned Cherries, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Man City and Manchester United to come.
"I think really, what we want do is that we’re not wanting to find ourselves in a really difficult Premier League situation coming up if we can help it," Moyes told football.london.
"We’re going to have to earn it because we’ve got really, really big Premier League games which we know we’re going to have to play well in. Hopefully, the players have gained a bit of energy.
"Watching it, they look as if they are a bit more energetic, more at it, but you know sometimes, a shot of confidence which probably, we got from the weekend game, and certainly from last night, is hopefully a big remedy to maybe feeling a bit jaded."
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