Sasa Lukic has told Premier League Productions that he is determined to make this Fulham’s best ever season and secure European football at Craven Cottage next year.

The Serbian international predicted before the start of the campaign that Marco Silva’s side could be challenging to play continental football and insisted that the desire amongst the Fulham first-team squad burned as brightly as ever – even after the disappointment of exiting the FA Cup last month.

Lukic, who has returned from injury to continue an outstanding season at the base of the Fulham midfield, said:

“We have 48 points so far – in every match we gave our best to reach that goal, for this season to be the best season ever for Fulham. Forty eight points gives us that chance and we are working very hard for it, and I believe we are going to reach that step, to be the best season ever in Fulham’s history.

I had a big belief in this team from the beginning of the season. I was saying that we are going to fight for the European spots, and I was right. Every match is going to be like a championship title match for us in that sense, because every match will be important to help us reach our goal of the European spots.”

The midfielder insisted nobody would be taking Bournemouth lightly given the Cherries’ impressive season under Andoni Iraola and their late leveller at the Cottage to secure a 2-2 draw just after Christmas.

“We already played them in the first half of the season, and they are a very difficult team. They are also fighting for the European spots, and it’s going to be a difficult match, but hopefully we will win.”