Junior hoping for Fulham call

Junior Stanislas is hoping to be given the chance to turn in a second match-winning performance against Fulham in the space of five days.

The England Under-21 midfielder was in scintillating form in Tuesday's 3-2 Barclays Premier Reserve League over the Cottagers at the Boleyn Ground, scoring one fine goal and coming close to scoring at least two more.

That performance was witnessed by manager Gianfranco Zola and first-team coach Steve Clarke, and Stanislas is hopeful his display will earn him a start in Sunday's Barclays Premier League date with the UEFA Europa League finalists at Craven Cottage.

The 20-year-old also insisted that he and his team-mates are determined to finish a largely disappointing campaign on a high note by securing what would be just the second away win of 2009/10.

"I'm hoping to play, but obviously you have to be performing on a daily basis in training. Reserve games, it obviously helps if you can play well, so hopefully I'll get a chance.

"It's obviously been lively at Chadwell Heath, but even if we'd lost on Saturday, as it was when we've lost previously, we've been down on the day but always been normal and tried to improve immediately. It's been upbeat this week, but we've never let our heads drop.

"We know we're a lot better than being just outside the relegation zone. We should be in the top half of the table. Hopefully, next year will be a lot better.

"I don't think you ever switch off and go out on your summer break and forget about everything. You're always trying to better yourself and the team, so hopefully next year we'll be better."

One player who has stood tall throughout the season is England midfielder Scott Parker, and Stanislas was quick to praise the massive influence of the Hammers No8.

"The man is an unbelievable player. He's obviously got bags of ability, his energy, his drive and his determination get the other lads really on it. He's good to have around.

"You definitely need to up your game [when you're on the pitch with him] because he's a massive character, a massive player and a massive part of the team. If you see him diving around making challenges and working hard, then you want to do the same as well.

"He just does that naturally and expects everyone else to do the same - it's just normal."