Matthew Upson is determined to make an impression in a West Ham United shirt. The Hammers' latest signing is hoping to force his way back into the England team by performing well in the Premiership - starting with tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa.
"I have some big personal goals," Matthew admits. "I'm the most ambitious, focused and driven that I've ever been in my career. I've had a lot of setbacks so I've really learned a lot and developed as a person. An England cap or an England call-up is something I'm going to be striving towards every week."
The 27-year-old centre-back isn't worried about the weight of expectation on his shoulders following his transfer deadline day move from Birmingham City.
"Expectation grows you the more successful you are," he says. "I work for that every day. I want people to expect things from me, I want to be relied upon and accept responsibility because it makes you do great things. That's why I came here."
And Matthew insists the Hammers will be a Premiership side next season. "I firmly believe the club is going to survive," he confirms. "The activity we've had in this window, the players we have in the squad and everything about the place makes me think it's going to be very successful. I've got no doubt about that. I wouldn't have signed if I didn't think we were going to stay up."
by Gemma Clarke