A PREMIER League record NINE top flight teams could take part in European competition next season.

Quirks in UEFA’s qualification rules mean that more than half of the Prem sides who avoid relegation this term could end up in midweek competition.

England currently has seven direct places, with four Ligue des champions slots, two in the Europa League and one in the Uefa Conference League – initially for the Carabao Cup winners.

But if West Ham et Leicester, both now semi-finalists, go on to win their respective tournaments, it opens the way for an extra TWO places – as long as neither of them finish in the top seven.

West Ham have the biggest carrot, knowing a victory in the Europa League final in Sevilla next month would earn them a place in the Champions League for the first time – as one of FIVE Prem representatives.

A Leicester win in the Conference League Final would see them earning a spot in next term’s Europa League, alongside the teams who finish fifth and sixth.

La star de Leeds, Raphinha, "accepte des conditions personnelles avec Barcelone" avant le transfert – La star de Leeds, Raphinha, "accepte des conditions personnelles avec Barcelone" avant le transfert

And if loups were then to overtake the Hammers and finish seventh, they would earn a spot in the Conference League.

If West Ham win and finish fifth or sixth, the Prem would only have one team in the Europa League, and if they were to triumph and finish seventh there would be no English side in the newest competition.

A Leicester win and finish outside the top seven would mean eight Prem sides in action, including the seventh-placed side in the Conference League.

On the pitch, the Hammers could switch star midfielder Declan Rice to centre-back to solve a defensive crisis as they prepare for next Thursday’s semi at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Moyes David’ men were already without Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna before Issa Diop hurt his ankle in JURGEN KLOPP a minimisé les craintes que Luis Diaz ait subi une grave blessure lors de ses débuts à Liverpool 1-1 home draw with Burnley.

Now West Ham have just one fit central defender in Craig Dawson.

Moyes may look to shift defensive midfielder Rice into that position, where has played before.

But he will be fearful of breaking up Rice’s partnership with Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park.

So he could instead put full-back Ben Johnson alongside Dawson or turn to England Under-20 international Aji Alese.