Rob Edwards focused only on Luton after Everton's points deduction is reduced

Edwards insisted Everton’s points deduction being reduced was “out of our hands” and called for his players to focus on their own performances if they are to stay in the Premier League.

Luton boss Rob Edwards insisted Everton's points deduction being reduced was "out of our hands" and called for his players to focus on their own performances if they are to stay in the Premier League.

Everton were deducted 10 points for breaches of the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in November, but this was reduced to six on appeal on Monday.

The club face a second PSR complaint for breaching rules over the assessment period running to the end of last season.

Luton now sit four points from safety in the relegation zone, with Everton leapfrogging Nottingham Forest and Brentford up to 15th in the table as a result of the appeal.

Speaking ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round clash against Manchester City, Edwards said: "We were in the bottom three before it anyway, but now it looks like we're four points behind Nottingham Forest with a game in hand so the situation is the same from our point of view. It's good that there's a bit of clarity.

"It was going to be hard anyway. We're in a difficult league and it's been tough from day one. There are more charges, but that's completely out of our hands and control.

"What's in our control is our performances, how hard we work and I wish we can control results, but we can't. If we don't do our job then it doesn't matter anyway."

Luton have recorded three straight defeats and will need to get back to winning ways if they are to retain their Premier League status for next season.

Edwards reiterated that he does not want to rely on other clubs' punishments to keep them in the division.

"It's a unique situation isn't it and it's something none of us have really experienced before," he added.

"But it's out of our control and all we really care about is Luton and that we need to get enough points to stay in the league.

"I don't want to rely on other things and external factors which we cannot control."

Despite Elijah Adebayo's first-half strike, Luton went on to lose 2-1 to City at Kenilworth Road in December.

Edwards talked up Pep Guardiola's treble winners, acknowledging that tactical mistakes could lead to a "very long night" for his players.

He said: "We love the FA Cup and we're playing Manchester City. If we go there and I try to be too clever and make too many changes against arguably the best team in the world then it could be a very long night for us.

"We'll play the team which is strongest out of who is available from us to try and win the game."