European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has revealed his determination to have Lee Westwood in his side for next year's meeting with USA at Hazeltine.

Westwood has celebrated victory in seven of his nine appearances for Europe, and he enjoyed a productive partnership with Clarke when they played alongside each other.

Despite not recording a top-10 finish since March, Westwood has the full backing of one of his closest friends on tour.

"Lee's stats of late are seriously impressive," Clarke told Sky Sports News. "You may not think that from the way he's been scoring, but the stats are actually very good. He's still in the top echelon of European players right now.

"Of course Lee and I have been friends for many years, and our record together in the Ryder Cup was second only to Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve [Ballesteros].

"We know each other inside out, and I know what I can expect from in in the Ryder Cup, and I think he'll have a great chance of qualifying for the team next year. I hope he does, but if he doesn't, it won't be a pick for an old pal situation - that's not the way it works."

Westwood has needed two captain's picks in his nine successive Ryder Cup appearances.