Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that any form of European football would mark a successful season for West Ham.

The Hammers only avoided relegation post-lockdown last season, finishing just four points above Bournemouth following a four-match unbeaten run.

But David Moyes' side have emerged as surprise Champions League contenders this term, and prior to recent defeats to Newcastle and Chelsea, occupied fourth place.

Despite those setbacks, West Ham are just three points behind London rivals Chelsea with four matches remaining, and have a favoured run of fixtures compared to Thomas Tuchel's men, who still have distractions in both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Finishing in fifth or sixth would guarantee a place in the group stages of the Europa League, whilst seventh is currently good enough for UEFA's new Europa Conference League.

"At the start of the season, if someone told me they'd be fighting for Europe, I'd have taken it – you'd probably have got locked up if you said West Ham would be fighting for Europe," McAvennie told Football FanCast.

He added: "But unfortunately, they've missed Declan Rice and missed Antonio. I would love West Ham to have another striker – Antonio is going to be stop-start next season. They've got to get a striker in.

"But I think for this year, even if they don't get Champions League, what a great season it's been. Get top-six and get into Europe, but I really hope they crown it off and get into that European spot."