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Premier League: West Ham winger Matt Jarvis determined to become a regular

Michael Williamson of Newcastle United and compete for the ball Matthew Jarvis of West Ham
Image: Matthew Jarvis: Hopeful of cementing place

West Ham winger Matt Jarvis is determined to take his chance and become a first-team regular in the new year.

The 28-year-old was capped by England in 2011 but has struggled to establish himself as a first-choice at Upton Park under Sam Allardyce.

However, with the likes of Senegal duo Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho heading for the Africa Cup of Nations this month, Jarvis is hopeful of benefitting having come off the bench to impressive effect in Thursday's 1-1 draw with West Brom.

Jarvis said: "It has been very frustrating for me, but when you get a chance to play, you have to do well and hopefully I have done that.

"I was extremely disappointed to get injured before the start of the season, that has cost me, but now I am back to being fully fit and trying to get back into the team.

"The two games before were very hard fixtures and it would have been for any team.

"We were disappointed not to have taken all three points against West Brom, but it is another point and we keep going."

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It has been very frustrating for me, but when you get a chance to play, you have to do well and hopefully I have done that.
Matt Jarvis

Next up for the Hammers is Tuesday's FA Cup third-round trip to Everton - and Allardyce is grateful for the respite from a packed schedule.

He said: "It is a big FA Cup third-round tie on a Tuesday night, which is a bit bizarre and something I don't think I have done before.

"But it gives the lads time to rest and recover and make sure we can put a team out to try to get through to the next round."