LUKE Chadwick is among the players Hammers boss Alan Pardew will be counting on to make sure West Ham stake a permanent claim in the top six, writes Laura Burkin.
With winger Matty Etherington out with a groin injury for at least three weeks, Steve Lomas still making his way back to fitness and Nigel Reo-Coker suffering from pleurisy, the West Ham midfield is taking a bit of a battering at the moment.
But despite the defeat at Wolves on Saturday, Chadwick has been in top form of late and is aiming to continue as Hammers look to take on Derby this weekend.
He said: "We did really well against Ipswich, then undid the good work against Sheffield United.
"Now we have to get back again after the disappointments, but cement that into a run."
Pardew praised the recent performances of Chadwick.
He has scored once this season, in the 1-1 draw with Leeds, and caused Premiership Norwich no end of problems when the Hammers defeated them last week in the FA Cup.
With Hammers looking for results Chadwick is also hoping for a run in the team.
Although modest when it comes to his own performances, Chadwick is always striving to do better.
He said: "I had a bad game against Sheffield United when I was suffering from flu.
"But that's no excuse, because you still have to perform when you're put on.
"Everyone wants to be playing all the time and playing well. And that's something I'll be looking to do on Saturday."
