Grant after Cup reprieve

Under-fire West Ham United boss Avram Grant has stressed the importance of reaching the Carling Cup final.

West Ham host fellow English Premier League club Birmingham City in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday in a welcome distraction from the Hammers’ flailing top-flight campaign.

A run of two wins in three league games was interrupted by a 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle United last Wednesday, leaving West Ham stranded at the bottom of the table once more.

But Grant says reaching the final of the Carling Cup and playing at Wembley Stadium could be the spark the Hammers need to turn their ailing Premier League fortunes around.

“I think it’s very important for this club,” Grant said.

“I didn’t know before but I was told that West Ham haven’t been in a final for 30 years at Wembley. I’ve been there two times in recent years and I enjoyed it.”

“We’ve had a great run (in the Cup). The first game was against Oxford United, but then we won away at Sunderland, then Stoke City at home and Manchester United.”

“That game was a great game for us, so we want to get there and go to Wembley.”