JORDAN Botaka is aiming to cement his place in the Leeds United side ahead of tomorrow's final home game of the season against Charlton.

Botaka, a summer transfer deadline day arrival from Dutch side Excelsior, has found opportunities limited during his debut campaign in English football.

But the Congolese international produced an impressive 45-minute display in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Hull, which followed up a late cameo appearance in the victory over Wolves four days earlier.

Botaka assisted Stuart Dallas for an 88th-minute equaliser at the KC Stadium and is hoping to earn a starting role for Steve Evans' side against the Addicks.

The 22-year-old winger said: "I've been through a very difficult period. I had to play a lot of games for the under-21s and that was very hard for me because I wanted to be playing with the first team.

"Getting myself back in the team was ery hard and sometimes I had second thoughts.

"But I came here for a reason and nobody told me that it would be easy. I'm a man and I'm fighting for my place in the squad. It's going the right way now.

"I'm giving what I can give, I'm giving it my best and I hope I can be important at this stage of the season and next season as well.

"I've always said that I'm very happy to be here, despite the fact that I haven't played much. The players have been very good with me and the supporters have as well.

"Sometimes it has been difficult – but it's all part of the game. I'm very happy to be here and I want to be here next season as well.

"It's a massive club. I think it has one of the best sets of supporters. I definitely want to be here."

Meanwhile, Gaetano Berardi will miss United's final two games of the season after suffering slight ligament damage against Hull last weekend.

The full-back was stretchered off with 15 minutes remaining at the KC Stadium following a challenge from Jake Livermore.

Berardi has already missed over two months of the campaign with an ankle injury sustained at Charlton in December but the extent of his current injury is not as serious and the expected recovery time is three to four weeks.

Midfielder Alex Mowatt will return to contention for this weekend's game after completing a three-match ban.