The Hammers are currently ninth in the Barclays Premier League but are 13 points adrift of fifth-placed Everton, who occupy the UEFA Cup place, while the Intertoto Cup could offer Alan Curbishley's side another route into continental competition.

The Northern Ireland international, an ever present for the Hammers this season, is pleased with the progress being made at Upton Park and admits a European berth would give them a better chance of attracting bigger names to the club.

"We are still sitting in mid-table a few points ahead of Tottenham and we are looking at the teams above us," he said.

"If you play every week in the Premier League you're going to improve as a player and you will mature as well as people say you will get better with age.

"The manager has brought in new signings in the summer and we have an outside chance of getting a European place which would help us attract players to the club."