O'Neill cool on new deal

West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil is not worrying himself about his Upton Park future, despite being out of contract in the summer, the Barking and Dagenham Post has heard. The former Middlesbrough ace scored a fine goal on Saturday to help the Irons triumph 3-1 over West Bromwich Albion and O'Neil has earned many plaudits for his committed performances in central midfield in the absence of fan favourite Mark Noble, but is not thinking beyond the end of the season.

"I like it at West Ham; the club haven't spoken to me yet about a new contract but they've obviously got bigger things on their mind. There's survival and Big Sam hasn't signed a new contract yet- I'll let the club and the people who deal with the paperwork worry about it, I just want to help push us into the top half."

For a player who most fans saw as deadwood at the start of the season, O'Neil has put in some very convincing displays and if a new contract is agreed, in this hack's opinion, it will no more than he deserves.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling