West Ham's USA international defender Jonathan Spector is looking forward to an extended run at centre-half after his outstanding performance in Saturday's win at Middlesbrough.

The former Manchester United trainee told whufc.com: "I haven't played there all season. It's not easy playing in new positions but centre-back is probably my favourite. I've been given a chance to play there because of injuries. We have a lot of good players around in the squad and I think that helps raise everyone's game. I hope to get more first-team action but that's at the manager's discretion. I am hoping to cement my place in the team."

Spector is determined to make a name for himself as an established force at the Boleyn Ground, acknowledging that being moved around the team to suit the occasion "can be good and bad". He added: "Hopefully it will benefit me in the long run."