Head coach Marco Silva has distanced himself from the decision to award Jose Holebas a new two-year contract this week, calling the move a 'club decision'.

Eyebrows were raised when Holebas was given the extension, which will keep him at the club until 2020, given some of his performances this season have called into question his commitment, and he has recently been dropped in favour of Marvin Zeegelaar.

However, Silva called the 33-year-old an 'important' player in his squad, even though he made clear it had not been his decision to offer him a new contract.

He said: "He's a player at the end of the of his contract and it's a club decision. That is my thought at the moment.

"It doesn't make sense in my opinion, if the club take a decision like that and they talk with the coach about it ifrst. It doesn't make sense.

"What I can say about this situation is that Holebas is an important player for us - and it's a club decision."