Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart knows he's fighting for his future. Reports yesterday suggested Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic was ready to dump the Holland international at the end of the season.

Asked about the claims, Van der Vaart said: "In principle I do not know anything about that, but it is something I've read in the press.

"I guess the first person to ask is myself, no-one has spoken with me. I have been here five months and I think it is too early to talk about those things. Nobody has told me anything.

"The first month I played very well and scored four goals. Then came a poor game and I was sent to the bench.

"But it's not just the fault of a player, it is a mixture of several different things. But it is true that my performances have dropped."

Van der Vaart now faces the prospect of battling Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra for a place in Juande Ramos' plans and he added: "I think he's a good player.

"I've seen him play at Chelsea and I know that now he is with Portsmouth. I think that he is very strong and I think he is a good footballer."