Former Chelsea star Joe Cole believes managerial know-how will be key in the relegation battle.

A number of sides, including Aston Villa, Watford and Brighton, are in the thick of it and when quizzed on what is needed at this late stage of season to avoid the drop, Cole thinks managerial experience is more vital than ever.

"The managers have a real hire wire job to do, you've got to crack the whip to get the players fit, and any players in their squad who are a little bit fragile, or susceptible to injuries, they're the ones that you risk losing," he said.

"A hamstring problem, a three or four week problem now, that's the season done. Managers have to get the right balance to get the fitness into the legs but also keeping them fresh enough so they don't pick up any silly niggling injuries.

"An experienced manager now is vital. If you get it wrong and lose two or three of your best players for a three or four week spell, you really give yourself less of a chance of achieving your goal."