Captain urges full commitment

Lucas Neill has issued a final rallying call to his West Ham United team-mates with the visit tonight of Everton.

"It is a cup game so there is no point holding back," the club captain said. "We will try and give it our all. There is a semi-final at stake and it would be unbelievable if we could get there. It is going to be a tough game and we are going to have to work very hard."

The Hammers skipper was at Blackburn Rovers when they won the competition back in 2002 but missed out because he was cup-tied. The chance to move a step closer to a Wembley showpiece has captured the imagination and Neill hopes the morale boost of Sunday's 1-0 win at his former club will help the cause in a busy week.

"We have got one leg out of the way," he said. "A fantastic win away. Now we have got to try and do a different style of football at home and take the game to Everton. Then we can focus back on a hard game against Everton in the league.

"The Blackburn was a massive win for so many reasons. It put us in the top ten and means we have got the confidence going to Everton. If we defend the way we did, we will create chances and we just need to take them." With the fans expected to be in full voice under the lights tonight, the stage is set for another cup classic at the Boleyn. For a full match preview, click here and check out a special Lucas Neill-Tim Cahill feature in the match programme.