Frank Nouble is hoping to see his name on the West Ham United teamsheet on a regular basis after marking his first start of the season with a maiden senior goal in Saturday's 2-1 npower Championship defeat at Derby County.

Nouble's strike capped a productive first half to the 2011/12 season that also saw him score the first goal of Sam Allardyce's tenure against BSC Young Boys in July before netting five in 14 games on loan at League Two side Gillingham.

The 20-year-old's first competitive goal in claret and blue may have been a mere consolation, but the south London-born striker believes it could help him to force his way into Big Sam's thoughts in 2012.

"It was disappointing to lose the game," he told West Ham TV. "We conceded two early goals that killed us, really. I think if we'd kept it tight early on then we might have got a goal ourselves and controlled the game and then got more goals in the second half.

"Obviously I was happy I came back with a goal and all I can do is keep working hard. The main thing as a young player is that you want to come in and work as hard as possible. I showed that and I was happy with my first goal as well.

"I'm in my third year here now and I've been out on loan quite a lot, but I've never really had a run of games until now and I'm just happy that the gaffer has given me a chance. He didn't put too much pressure on me - he just told me to go out there and play. I've played at Gillingham and got a lot of confidence from there so I'm just happy I came back and scored."

Frank Nouble scores past Derby County goalkeeper Frank Fielding

Having impressed on his surprise start at Derby, Nouble is hoping to keep his place for Monday's visit of Coventry City. However, the youngster knows he will face competition for his place from Jack Collison, Kevin Nolan and Julien Faubert, who will all be available again after suspension.

"Hopefully I'll stay in the squad, at least. I've come back because I want to play. I know West Ham have been going well, but we've only taken four points from four games. All we can do is keep working.

"We've got the New Year and back-to-back wins are what we need. We're more than good enough to get out of this league, so that's what we're aiming at.

"The boys will be gunning for Monday's game. We're looking for nothing other than a win and I'm sure we'll get it. Although we lost on Saturday, we're still flying high. If I get a start on Monday I'll be ready to play.

"I know there are other players coming back from suspension but I'm a first-team player like them and I want to stake a claim."

Nouble put his eye-catching Pride Park performance down to the confidence drawn from his loan spell at Gillingham, where he excelled in a position wide on the right or left of a three-man attack with his pace, power and goalscoring ability.

"A few of us have gone out on loan and I think we've all done well. I've been playing in a winning side at Gillingham and playing well. I've gained confidence. I wanted to work hard there, prove myself and show that first-team football is not something I'm afraid of.

"It doesn't matter how old you are - if you are ready, you are ready."