Noble aiming to end season on a high

Mark Noble wants his amazing few months to continue, starting with England Under-21 glory in Holland followed by a new chapter at West Ham.

Noble made his first Under-21 start in the draw against Italy which left England knowing a win against Serbia in Nijmegen on Sunday evening would guarantee a place in the European Championship semi-finals.

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"We wouldn't even be contemplating being here if we didn't think we could win it," Noble said.

"We've said that since the training camp in Valencia, the players we've got we can go all the way."

Winning a trophy with England would cap a remarkable season for the 20-year-old.

He started the season on loan at Ipswich before returning to Upton Park and playing a crucial role in their stunning escape from relegation.

The thrilling 4-3 defeat to Tottenham was his first Premier League appearance of the campaign, but Alan Curbishley's men did not look back after that.

With new owners and money for the transfer market, Noble believes the Hammers have a bright future after avoiding the drop.

"I really think we can go on to be a major top-five team in the next few years if we sign the players all the talk is about," added the midfielder, a life-long Hammers fan born near Upton Park.

"If we do that and we push on to get some of the best players in the world to Upton Park I'm sure I'll be there for years to come."

Scott Parker has already arrived but Nigel Reo-Coker, the Under-21 captain, appears set to leave after handing in a transfer request.

It means Curbishley will need to appoint a new skipper, a role Noble would like to fill one day.

"I've been captain through the youth teams for West Ham and it would be a dream to captain them in the Premier League and to take us onto better things," he added.

"I think we've got the chairman now, and I think we've got the players, manager and staff to kick on this season and show everyone what we can do.

"Obviously there's speculation around Nigel Reo-Coker. He's a good friend of mine, I've played with him a lot and been with him a few years now, but he's got his own reasons and what he does he does.

"But we've got Scott Parker now, who's a fantastic player and I'm really looking forward to playing with him.

"I'm hoping I come back from here fully fit and I'll be firing for my place in that team in the first game of the season."