Scott Parker has spoken of his desire to end the season on a winning note this weekend as well as his personal satisfaction at an extended run of games in the West Ham United first team.
Should the England midfielder figure against Aston Villa, it will be his tenth consecutive appearance and 20th of the season overall - not bad considering his fortunes in the summer and the first half of the season when he was blighted by knee problems. "I am pleased with how things have been going," he said. "Obviously coming back from long-term injury, a long time out, it has been very disappointing but I feel that I've turned a corner regarding my injury.
"I just need games now. The season's coming to an end now but I'm glad I'm getting through the games. I feel I'm getting stronger with every one," added the 27-year-old. Parker, who played 41 times for Newcastle United last season and 32 games in the previous campaign, is used to being a regular and has enjoyed the chance to "get into my stride" for the run-in - experience which will stand him in good stead for next season's renewed challenge.
Before looking ahead to the next campaign, Parker knows there is work to be done this Sunday against Aston Villa to secure a finish in the top half of the table - especially after the defeat at Manchester United. "We need to draw a line under this result and carry on the way were going," he said. "We need to go into the Villa game and try and pick up three points. We need to get tenth and that's what we're going to do. We're going to go into that game fully focused and hopefully get all three points."