West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell says he would love to help the Club reach the group stages of the Europa League and wants to compete against the big teams in Europe.
The Hammers are just four games away from reaching the main stage of the competition, but face another tough test when they play Romanian side FC Astra at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday night in the third qualifying round.
Cresswell, who was voted Hammer of the Year last season, is excited by the prospect of playing against different European teams and hopes it will improve everyone in the squad.
The games are certainly coming thick and fast for Slaven Bilic and his players and with just over a week to go before the opening Premier League game against Arsenal, Cresswell says they will be raring to go for the London derby at Emirates Stadium on August 9.
Cresswell said: “I don't think many of us have had this amount of pre-season games but we just need to relish it and look forward to the opening Premier League game against Arsenal.
“We want to be in the group stages (of the Europa League) and there will be better teams as the competition progresses.
“It will be a test for us (against Astra) but one we are looking forward to. The fans are turning out in their numbers again and long may it continue.
“It is a game we are looking forward to. We have seen videos of the opposition. They are going to be tough and don't look a bad side.”
To watch the video in full, log in or sign up to My West Ham now.