WEST HAM defender Matthew Upson has challenged the club’s owners to open their chequebook this summer, as he believes a bit more ‘quality’ could see the team battle it out with the ‘Big Four’ for a Champions League place.

Hammers’ players have been dropping like flies in recent weeks, forcing Gianfranco Zola to reach deep into the club’s reserves.

However, they have managed to maintain a consistent level of performance that has seen them keep up their pursuit of seventh, and a Europa League place.

Upson is in no doubt that the club are more than capable of a top six finish next season. But it was his bold prediction that they could disturb what has become the established order at the top end of the Premier League that will have people sitting up and taking notice.

The top four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have been separated just once in the last six years – by Everton in 2005 – but, according to Upson, they could soon have a new contender for the Champions League places.

“It (the club) can definitely step into the top six, who knows – with a bit of quality back in the team and some strength in depth, we could make the top four,” said the England defender.

“But the top six is a big target for this club and I think if we achieve that in the next season or two, it would give the club a good basis to push on.”

Upson accepts that if the Irons are to make the step up then they must be able to call upon players with European pedigree, rather than relying on a group of inexperienced youngsters.

While he has been impressed by the impact the new players have made, Upson knows that the club will have to dip into the transfer kitty during the summer if they are to muck it with the big boys next season.

“It (challenging for Europe) is something that as an individual, I need to be doing. I have personal aspirations that I want to achieve and the better standard my domestic football is, the greater chance that’s got of helping me achieve those.

“I’m desperate for the club to succeed and finish as high as it can,” added the defender.

“If you get into the latter stages of the UEFA Cup, it becomes a big situation, so you might commit more players to that competition than the league. One thing’s for sure, you need a big squad to compete in the UEFA Cup or Champions League.

“I did mention that to Steve Clarke. I said ‘Is the squad prepared if we did actually finish in a Europa League spot?’ “I’ve read a few articles this year about teams putting out second-string sides to play UEFA Cup ties and getting criticised for that, because most teams like West Ham, Villa, Everton – the Premier League is the most important thing for them. So it will be interesting and it will test the ambition of this football club and how deep their pockets are.”

West Ham still face testing trips to Everton and Aston Villa, while they will also welcome Chelsea and Liverpool to Upton Park before the season is out.

That tough run-in, combined with last week’s defeat to Tottenham, has prompted some pundits to suggest it is Spurs who are in poll position for the remaining Europa League place. Not in Upson’s book.

“I wouldn’t say they (Tottenham) are favourites by any means,” he argued. “We’re three points ahead and if you look at the fixtures, they’ve got some tough games coming up, so we’re giving it everything to finish in that seventh spot.”