Matthew Upson admits West Ham's efforts this season have worn out their injury-hit squad heading into the business end of the campaign.The Hammers have had important players on the treatment table all season, and Upson is the latest after picking up a calf complaint during Wednesday's defeat to Liverpool.

He is struggling to make Sunday's clash at Tottenham when Alan Curbishley's men look to get back on track after consecutive 4-0 reverses, against Chelsea and then at Anfield.

If he misses out, Curbishley's squad will be stretched even more as they look to make the jump from mid-table into European qualification candidates.

"The last two games have been unlike us but it may be a case that there are a few tired legs now because we've had to work so hard to reach mid-table safety," said Upson.

"Because we've been unable to score enough goals, every game has been tight and taxing. We need to regroup now and, given a match against our local rivals Spurs on Sunday, we don't have much time.

"Across the middle we look a bit leggy and lack the urgency to run beyond the strikers. We haven't passed the ball at all over the last two games and that's because we're not using the energy to run into space and receive the ball.

"We identified what's wrong and we need, as a group, to address it because, although we're safe, we can't afford to let the season just dwindle away."

Hammers fans have also been urging a more expansive game from Curbishley's men.

"We could go that way," Upson added.

"We haven't got too much to lose now but the players have to be in the right condition if we're going to throw everything at it.

"I know the supporters are hungry for some more attacking action and flair but it's up to the manager to decide which way he wants to go."

Anton Ferdinand is determined to put the defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool behind him by getting a result at Spurs.

He said on whufc.com: "I can only talk for myself but the last two games have hurt me and we have got to get it back.

"There is no better game to go into for me personally, with the rivalry that we have got, than Spurs on Sunday."

Ferdinand wants to summon the spirit of last season's remarkable relegation escape.

He added: "I can't say we are in a crisis. Everyone knows what a crisis is - which was last year - and we dug ourselves out of that.

"We have got to get back the feeling we had last year which helped us get out of that situation."

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