David Moyes demands his senior players step up to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive - after West Ham's late collapse in a crushing 4-3 defeat to Newcastle

West Ham boss David Moyes called on his senior players to stand up and be leaders as they look to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive.

Moyes was critical of the way his team surrendered their 3-1 lead against Newcastle last weekend, with their opponents scoring three goals in 13 minutes to win 4-3.

The Hammers have lost captains in back-to-back seasons, with Mark Noble retiring at the end of the 2021-2022 campaign before Declan Rice left to join Arsenal last summer. Ahead of a crucial game with London rivals Tottenham this evening, Moyes said his senior stars must step up to the plate.

‘You're always looking for strong leadership at different times,’ Moyes said.

‘Over the last year or two I've been fortunate enough to have Mark Noble and Declan Rice. People are beginning to see Declan in a different light completely now.

‘Last year we saw how everybody is seeing him now. Declan had the ability to cover ground quickly and recover things while Mark Noble was just a great leader in the dressing room as well as a player.

‘We've got a lot of senior players here, internationals and there is a little bit that needs to be levelled at them to say: “Come on, stand up and do your bit. Take leadership at that time.”

‘Kurt [Zouma] has got a lot of really good attributes. We've got Tomas Soucek who is captain of the Czech Republic, Vladimir Coufal is 30, James Ward-Prowse captained Southampton.

‘[Michail] Antonio has been here a long time, so has [Jarrod] Bowen. We've got a lot of senior players so I'm hoping they would stand up and take leadership, ownership in some of the moments.’

West Ham, who are seventh going into tonight’s game, will be without goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after he sustained a groin injury at St James’ Park. Nayef Aguerd could return after taking part in training on Monday.