West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson has set his sights on a first-team berth after completing his permanent switch from Portsmouth.
Keeper feels he has improved since joining West Ham
West Ham goalkeeper Stephen Henderson has set his sights on earning a first-team berth at the club next season after completing his permanent switch from Portsmouth.
The highly-rated shot-stopper joined the Hammers in March on a loan deal until the end of the season, but failed to break into the starting XI at Upton Park, with his path blocked by England international Robert Green.
However, after the former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international signed a three-year deal with the Hammers on Monday, he is again expecting tough competition for the No.1 jersey.
"I have loved every second since I came to the club," Henderson told
Sky Sports.
Confidence
"Marge (Martyn Margetson) and Rob (Green) have been brilliant to work with and I can't wait to come back in pre-season and show that I am capable of playing at this level.
"The manager (Sam Allardyce) gives the players the confidence to go out and do the business and I am very proud to be a part of such a huge club.
"I appreciate that I'm still young but I am very confident in my own ability and come the start of the season I will be pushing as hard as I possibly can to earn that spot."
Having narrowly missed out on a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012, Henderson hopes to play for his country at senior level in the near future.
He added: "Playing for Ireland even at under-age level is a feeling you can't put into words, so to play for the senior side is a huge ambition of mine and I will do whatever it takes to break in next time."
