Joao Pedro aiming to save the Tigers

Joao Pedro hopes he can save Hull City from the drop in the final two games of the season.

The Tigers sit two places and two points ahead of the drop zone ahead of the visit of Derby, one place below, to the MKM Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST), with a trip to Portsmouth to follow on 3 May.

The 33-year-old Brazilian has scored just six goals in 33 appearances since arriving in August after spending last season on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce from Gremio in his homeland, but hopes to finish the campaign on a high.

Speaking through an interpreter, the former Cagliari forward told BBC Radio Humberside: "I am happy, even if the season could be more productive.

"I found a club which is well organised, this league is tough but the fans are excellent, they are passionate and they support the team.

"This is exactly what I needed – a team that would enable me to put fire in my game and play beautiful football.

"The two previous seasons in Turkey and Brazil were tough - I needed this, the love to play football again."

The last of his six goals came at Bristol City on 8 March, arriving moments before he was sent-off for violent conduct and banned for three games.

Joao Pedro added: "I had no bad intentions. It's a matter of interpretation for me and the ref. I tried to protect both of us. I am sorry I affected the team, but it happens in football, it's part of the game.

"What we want the most now is to finish the season well and achieve our main goal.

"I have no doubts that we will overcome the situation with the help of teammates, leadership, the manager, the fans – together.

"We do not deserve to be in this situation. I don't fear we will have a bad ending. We will have to work hard, it will be tough, we need to improve, but I want to play some good games and save Hull City."

Joao Pedro's one-year contract expires this summer but he says it's 'too early' to think about next season, adding: "I am very happy to be here, it's early to be thinking about next season.

"It's not worth putting energy onto this because right now we are in an important time of the season, we want to finish well and I hope we can save Hull City from this delicate situation."