Toumani Diagouraga has been delighted with his level of performances for Brentford this season.

The Frenchman had been tipped to leave the club last summer but, since coming in from the cold against Watford, he has shone and was rewarded with a new contract in December.

Manager Mark Warburton has hailed the midfielder in recent weeks for finding a consistency to his game but Diagouraga put his improved form down to the confidence placed in him by the boss.

He said: “I think I’ve been the same player but I’ve had the belief of the manager in me this season and I’m enjoying my football.

“I’ve been pleased with my consistency and I’ve played a lot of games this season so I’ve been happy with that.”

Brentford’s play-off hopes have been hampered by a run of five wins in 15, while they have not won in four games to leave them three points shy of the top six with two games remaining.

But Diagouraga is not giving up hope of reaching the end-of-season showdown.

He added: “It’s mathematically possible so we’ll try and get wins against Reading and Wigan and we’ll see where that takes us.

“I’d love to the play in the Premier League; hopefully we can make and win the play-offs. I’m very happy at Brentford.”

Frustrated: Brentford's Toumani Diagouraga looks dejected after the final whistle

The patchy run of form coincided with the announcement that Warburton would leave the club in the summer, but Diagouraga refused to offer that as an excuse.

He added: “What’s happened with the manager is unfortunate but we have a job to do and we can’t use that as an excuse.”

Brentford travel to Reading on Saturday and they will be hoping Ipswich suffer a home defeat to Nottingham Forest, while strugglers Millwall can upset Derby.

Wolves, who trail the Bees on goal difference, could relegate Brentford’s final day opponents, Wigan, on Saturday.