Anton up for fight

Anton Ferdinand has revealed that he is looking forward to the challenge of retaining his first team spot next season.

Ferdinand, who along with Matthew Upson, Calum Davenport, James Collins and Danny Gabbidon will be fighting for the two available central defensive spots revealed that he wasn't phased by the competition - and that he still saw his long-term future with the Hammers.

"I definitely want to stay," he said. "I would not be at the club now if that was not the case.

"I am happy to fight because if you're not playing well, you know you are not going to be playing the following week.

"It will be tough for me to get into the team - but that is what will make the club reach the heights that it deserves."

Ferdinand broke into the first team during United's most recent spell in the Championship, three seasons ago. However a series of off-field incidents last season had left the 21-year-old defender facing the chop.