Elliott's Contract Extension

ALAN Pardew insists that the success of 20-year-old centre-back Elliott Ward over the last few games has not surprised him.

Elliott has just agreed a new two-year extension to his contract that will take him through until 2007, and Pards has been delighted with the way the Academy graduate has handled the pressure of coming into the first-team at such a crucial stage of the season.

"Elliott came into the side with very little experience," he confessed, "but he's really hit the ground running and we've been delighted with the way he's conducted himself over the last five games.

"Elliott's a laid back character and he's got plenty of confidence. It can be his downfall on the pitch at times, because it can make him look a bit casual.

"But that's something we've worked on and the way he's handled the whole scenario of coming into the first-team has been tremendous.

"I can't say that I'm surprised about the way he has done. Elliott is a very good player and it fits in with his personality, because he is a confident lad."

Saturday's clash with Millwall will be a huge day for Elliott, as he faces up to the prospect of lining-up against older brother Darren in one of West Ham United's biggest games of the season. Pards admitted that it would be a huge occasion for the Wards clan.

"It's going to be a big day for the whole family," he said. "I'm sure they're very proud about the way Elliott has been doing. They knew they had one very good centre-half in the family with Darren. Now they know that they've got another one who is just as good.

"Elliott comes from a real footballing family, with his other three brothers all having played professionally as well.

"Darren is a defender, while Lee and Scott are goalkeepers. I doubt there were too many goals scored over the park when those four were playing!

"It's a day for their family to be very proud and Elliott will be relishing the prospect of playing against Darren.

"Hopefully though, it'll be the younger brother that's smiling come the end of the game!"