Toddy's A Trier

Svetoslav Todorov says he will keep battling away for first team recognition at Upton Park - even though he was left out of the Bulgarian national team this week because he is not a regular for the Hammers.

Toddy has made five starts and 12 substitute appearances for West Ham since arriving from Litechs Lovek for £500,000 last season, scoring two goals in the process.

He has made eight appearances for the reserves this season, and grabbed the goal in a 3-1 reserve defeat by Arsenal on Tuesday.

"It was a good game with many first team players involved," he says, "and we were unlucky.

"I scored the first goal and enjoyed the game playing against Tony Adams."

Toddy would otherwise have been involved for Bulgaria in Croatia this week, but was left out of the squad, and explains: "I didn't get picked because we have a new manager who said if you are not playing for your club you won't get in the national team."

Despite this setback, he insists he will persevere at West Ham, and adds: "Of course, I don't have any other choice. It is only this that I want to do - it is my job."

His last first team action was as a substitute against Chelsea in the FA Cup at Upton Park, and he recalls: "After I came on we had one chance to score, but we hit the bar with Christian Dailly, and it was unlucky."