Mauricio Pochettino is close to penning a new deal with Espanyol.

With nine Primera Division games remaining, Espanyol are currently in fifth place and the club are keen for Pochettino to carry on that good work by signing a new deal.

"I don't want to distract anyone by talking about that subject, but there won't be any type of problem or difficulty," Pochettino said.

"I'm open to anything the club want."

Pochettino believes his side will need 15 more points to secure a place in Europe and hopes to collect the first three of those with a win at home to Racing.

"I don't know how many points we will need. Maybe 58 will be enough, but we have to go little by little.

"If we can get three more against Racing, our aspirations will be intact."