Poyet determined to play

03 July 2015 21:47

Diego Poyet is determined to establish himself in Slaven Bilic's West Ham side in the forthcoming season.

The 20-year-old joined the Hammers from Charlton last summer but has only played three times in the Premier League.

He spent a spell out on loan at Huddersfield last season but could find first-team opportunities easier to come by at Upton Park this year as Bilic looks to lead his side into the Europa League group stages.

Poyet turned out for West Ham in their 3-0 victory over Andorra minnows FC Lusitans in their first qualifying round tie on Thursday night.

And the Uruguay Under-20 international, son of former Chelsea and Tottenham ace Gus Poyet, wants to stay put and stake his claim for a prominent role in Bilic's plans.

"My preference is to want to be at West Ham," he said when asked if another loan move may be on the cards.

"That is where I want to be and that is where I want to play. If the manager tells me 'Look you are better off going out on loan and get some games' then I will respect him for that and I will do that. But until I am told to leave I am not going anywhere.

"If you are a young player and not playing then soon as there is a new manager, the thing you want to do is impress. In a way to get into his good books and he trusts you.

"That is the important thing. If you are young but the manager trusts you, it doesn't matter how old you are. He has faith in you, he is going to play you, or at least give you a chance."

With the Europa League fixtures and the hope of further runs in the FA Cup and Capital One Cup, Poyet believes he and a number of other young players at the club will be given their opportunities to shine.

"It depends how far we get in things like cups and Europa league," the midfielder said of his chances of playing more regularly.

"He (Bilic) might give a chance to some of the young players. We were unfortunate last season as we lost the capital one cup against Sheffield United early on so it was difficult. Hopefully fingers crossed some youngsters will get the chance to play."

Source: PA