WEST HAM striker Benni McCarthy has warned the last three games are 'life or death' for the club.

The South African hitman, who joined from Blackburn Rovers for £3million in January, has been a frustrated observer for much of his Hammers spell thus far, having struggled to break into the first team as well as suffering from injury. However, he is ready to take a full part in the final run-in that will determine the club's fate.

“It's really hard and really frustrating for me having to watch the tough fight for relegation,” said McCarthy. “I knew that I was coming to a fantastic club and a great team but unfortunately we're in a horrible situation that nobody wants to find themselves in.

“You've got to dig in deep and fight for your lives in those last three games. We've got three games - two at home - and it's life or death for us.

“We've definitely got the potential and the quality and we've got to go out there and fight like we did against Everton and Sunderland and we'll be okay.”

The point nicked from the Toffees and the victory at home to the Black Cats, courtesy of two goals from Brazilian forward Ilan, looked to have as good as secured West Ham's Premier League status. However, an insipid display against Liverpool at Anfield on Monday has cast fresh doubt over the team's ability to stave off the fight from Hull City and Burnley.

Wigan are the visitors to Upton Park on Saturday, while a trip to Fulham and another home clash against Manchester City are the final matches on the slate. McCarthy added: “We need to try and take our own chances and make sure that we don't concede silly goals and start to make it difficult for ourselves.

“We switched off for a second and you can't afford to do that against these kind of teams. You can't switch off because they'll take a quick free-kick and they'll get something when you're playing at Anfield that'll knock the wind out of you.

“You try to get back and then they get another set piece, score and you're 0-2 down and it becomes even more difficult because you've got to chase the game and chase to get the ball.”

McCarthy admits he is nearing full fitness. “I'm 90% fit. Sometimes I get fluid on my knee but I've just got to keep training. I'm fit enough to help when I'm needed.”