West Ham United Football Club

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35595

Hammers future excites Neill

02 Apr 2008 - 10:09:19

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West Ham United captain Lucas Neill believes the club's current injury crisis could be a blessing in disguise as manager Alan Curbishley continues to blood youngsters.

Curbishley could be without up to 15 members of his first-team squad for their next Premier League outing at home to Portsmouth next Tuesday.

Long-term absentees Julien Faubert, Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer will definitely miss the clash, while the likes of Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole, George McCartney, Danny Gabbidon and John Paintsil are rated doubtful

However, with several key first-team players absent the Hammers boss has been forced to turn to the likes of Freddie Sears and James Tomkins in recent weeks and Neill has been impressed with the quality of the club's young talent.

"We've got talented kids and for them it's a great opportunity to show everyone what they've got," he told the club's official website.

"For us I suppose they'll bring energy and no fear and a desire to want to do really well."

Meanwhile, Neill has challenged his team-mates to end an injury-ravaged season on a high note.

"It would be stupid just to try and play the season out now," he continued.

"We've got to try and believe that we can win five out of the last six or six out of the last six."