Curbs: Upson is an inspiration

Alan Curbishley has called on his young English players to take a leaf out of defender Matthew Upson's book to help them push for international recognition. The West Ham defender started in Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland and called on youngsters such as Mark Noble to continue their improvement.

Curbishley said: "We have a healthy contingent of players perhaps Capello should look at and they can all take inspiration from Matthew Upson.

"Franco Baldini, who does a lot of the scouting, was at our two games against Manchester City and the Liverpool game.

"We know we have been well watched so anyone who is playing at the moment has got to be looking to impress us at West Ham but also to impress the England set-up.

"We have got an English spine in our squad. Anton Ferdinand is playing well and Capello would have taken note of that.

"Parker was doing ever so well before he got injured. Kieron Dyer was in the last England squad before he came to us, they will be looking at Dean Ashton and Mark Noble as well."