Manager on Monday

West Ham United have a big five days ahead before Saturday's huge trip to Chelsea but will face the challenge head on.

The squad will take to the Boleyn Ground pitch on Monday as part of a special Academy members open day, although Manuel da Costa and Gary O'Neil will both miss out.

The pair are to be assessed by medical staff after being forced off in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa that left the Hammers in need of an upturn - and quickly. Meanwhile, Scott Parker - who missed out on the PFA Player of the Year award to Gareth Bale - will continue to be monitored carefully after missing out at the weekend with an achilles problem.

The reserves will also be preparing for their Tuesday night match at the Boleyn against Bolton Wanderers, with Jack Collison hoping to make his third appearance in as many weeks on the comeback trail. All the squad will aim to force their way into the manager's thinking for the final five matches of what will be a dramatic conclusion to the season.

"One or two wins can change everything," he said, knowing the Hammers are just two points from the safety of 17th. "It is still tight and that is a good thing. I think more or less we need nine points to survive. It will be difficult but still it is possible.

"The next two games are hard but we are not giving up on those games. We have beaten Liverpool and Tottenham this season so we will be positive."

Those two games are the Easter Saturday date at Chelsea before a trip to Manchester City eight days later. Few neutrals will expect the Hammers to take much back to east London but Grant will be going all out to upset the odds. "It will be difficult but we want to take points from the next two games."

As well as the tactical aspect of the week, the manager will be working on ensuring his men are able to cope with the pressure. "We were a little bit nervous [on Saturday], which you can understand. The players want to stay in the league.

"We dealt with the pressure very well in January when we were the last team and many points behind. There was big pressure. We have been fighting with this well before and maybe because Scott Parker was missing and we lost Manuel, we were more nervous than I thought.

"We need Scott as soon as possible but we need to wait and see if he can do it. As a team, we don't need to give up. We need to deal with this situation, not be nervous and we need to give everything.

"The players are committed, they want to win games. I am confident we will stay up. It will be difficult but we can do it. We have to show character and that we are strong."