Defiant Creswell’s West Ham war cry as Hammers try to dent rivals Chelsea’s top flight title hopes

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Aaron Cresswell has a defiant message for any West Ham United doubters who believe the players will simply see out the season and settle for a mid-table comfort zone: Think again!

Cresswell has been crocked for a large chuck on the campaign but he has figured of late and has grown in fitness and form since his return; and his re-emergence as one of the top flight’s leading exponents of the left-back position has coincided with a decent run of form for Slaven Bilic’s men.

So it is understandable that Cresswell wants to maintain the displays (he was outstanding in his berth for the 1-1 draw against Watford at Vicarage Road last time of asking) that have helped the Hammers to an avoidance of defeat in nine of the past 12 fixtures. Not that the next hurdle isn’t a huge one with the impending visit to the London Stadium of league leaders and nailed-on champions Chelsea on Monday night.

While some players could easily take the option of going through the motions while thinking of their summer holidays after concluding the 12 remaining fixtures, Cresswell is adamant that he had his team-mates will do nothing of the sort.

He said: “We’re not about to pack our suitcases, that’s for sure. With the lads we’ve got here, we’re not going to rest on our laurels and accept tenth or twelfth position. While there are points to play for, we’ll give it everything we’ve got week-in, week-out and try to get as many points on the board as we can between now and 21 May.”

Meanwhile, it looks increasingly likely that lanky frontman Andy Carroll will, after all, be fit for the game against Antonio Conte’s Blues. Carroll has been sidelined for a couple of matches due to a niggling groin problem but he has returned to training.

And Bilic, said to be considering the option of contract extension with the Hammers, has indicated that the big striker is winning his race to fitness and will line up against Chelsea as the home side try to put a huge dent in their London rivals’ title ambitions.

With leading goalscorer Michail Antonio serving a one-match suspension, Carroll’s availability takes on extra significance.

Bilic said: “Andy has been training with us and it’s been good I’m very optimistic about him playing against Chelsea. He has trained individually for a few days and has done everything.”