Reid raring to go

Winston Reid had plenty of reasons to be happy following Saturday's six-star performance against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The New Zealand international continued his comeback from a worrying head injury suffered on All Whites duty in February with a commanding display against the Seagulls.

Reid collected a clean sheet bonus, while also being able to enjoy a sensational attacking display by his team-mates - most notably hat-trick hero Ricardo Vaz Te.

All those ingredients added up to a first home win in eight home npower Championship matches and the Hammers putting themselves right back in the mix for automatic promotion.

"To be honest it was nice to finally put a performance together at home," said the No2. "Obviously we've not been winning at home lately so it was good to get the victory and in good style as well.

"I think all the back four were good, particularly as it has been changed around a little bit."

Reid was hurt when he received a kick to the head while playing for New Zealand against Jamaica in his native Auckland at the end of February.

The blow put him out of action for a month, but the 23-year-old revealed his absence could have been much longer in duration.

"It's nice to be playing again, especially as the injuries I've had have just been fluke accidents really. It is not as if I have torn a hamstring or anything.

"I just wanted to get on with it and play. It was a bit worrying because we didn't know initially how long it was going to last.

"The first prognosis was eight weeks and that would have been my season finished but thankfully I was able to start training and it has been good to be back out on the pitch again."

While Reid's return has been welcome, so has the prolific form of Vaz Te, who has netted ten goals in 12 matches since his arrival from Barnsley in January.

"Vaz has added clinical finishing. He finishes his chances off and is always a threat. Nicky Maynard has also come in and contributed as well.

"It was a perfect performance by Vaz on Saturday."

Reid and Vaz Te will want to maintain their outstanding form over West Ham's final three league fixtures at Bristol City, Leicester City and at home to Hull City.

Should they do so, the Hammers will have a better chance of overhauling second-place Southampton.

"We have to take it game by game and see how it goes. The only thing we can do is win our last three games and take it from there.

"We have got a couple of away games before Hull come to us on the 28th and hopefully we can pick up three wins."