Morgan Schneiderlin hopes for World Cup spot

Morgan Schneiderlin has said that he hopes a strong season with Southampton will earn him a spot in France's squad for the 2014 World Cup.

The 23-year-old, who joined the Saints from Strasbourg in 2008, is yet to represent his country at senior level.

The midfielder told the club's website: "There are many things that I want to improve on. It's a World Cup year and it's going to be very important for me to be in the squad as I haven't been before.

"I want to help Southampton finish as high up as we can and I also want to play at the World Cup, so I have to have a good season.

"I don't know if I can do better than last year's stats but my target is always to improve so even if I don't do five or six tackles in a game, as long as I do three which are very important to the team then that's OK."

The Saints begin their Premier League season against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow.