Sam Allardyce would welcome Europa League football for West Ham next season after Uefa award England an extra European place

West Ham could be the beneficiary's of an extra Europa League place after England were awarded a fourth berth for the European tournament

West Ham Manager Sam Allardyce (Getty Images)

West Ham defender Reece Burke will have to be at the top of his game to contain Aston Villa's "unstoppable" Christian Benteke on Saturday, admits Hammers manager Sam Allardyce.

Burke has registered consecutive clean sheets in his first two Barclays Premier League starts against QPR and Burnley, but the 18-year-old faces his toughest test yet against Benteke this weekend.

Benteke has hit form at just the right time for Tim Sherwood's side, scoring eight goals in his last six games, and Allardyce admits the Belgian striker will pose a serious threat at Villa Park.

"Tim has got Benteke back on form. He's a goalscorer that we all know when he's in confident mood he can be unstoppable," Allardyce said.

"It will be Reece's most difficult test I think. He had a very difficult test in his last away performance against QPR's (Charlie) Austin and (Bobby) Zamora.

"Austin has been free-scoring in the Premier League and Zamora has great strength and ability as well, so Reece has had to make sure his reading of the game is spot on.

"His physical presence is not as good as Zamora's and it won't be as good as Benteke's.

"He'll have to be very clever along with James Collins to cope with a man who is in form at the moment.

"The job for the rest of the team is to stop the supply, stop the crosses, and if we do that hopefully we can repeat the result from last year, which was a win."

Allardyce has high praise for defender Reece Burke (Getty Images)

A poor run of form means West Ham are currently 11 points adrift of the top six but the Hammers could still qualify for next season's Europa League after England was granted an extra place for coming second in UEFA's fair play rankings.

Europe's second tier competition is often criticised for the effect its Thursday night matches have on league results and West Ham would be entered into the first qualifying round, scheduled for July 2.

"I would take it," Allardyce said.

"The difficulty lies in the short period of time we are left to get ready for the first game on July 2.

"I am not certain why the Premier League have decided to extend the season - the facts are we would have a four-week break between finishing and restarting.

"But even though it may affect your league form, you accept it and enjoy the moment of playing in Europe and the experience of travelling abroad.

"It's a fantastic experience and a club like ours hasn't achieved it that often in its entire history."

It is still not certain whether Allardyce will be in charge at the start of next season given he is yet to extend his contract, which expires in the summer.

"I will carry on until I get a contract," Allardyce said.

"It was May 29 I think when I signed my last contract and we are in May again now.

"We will sit down and talk, and if the discussions are successful between both parties we will be together again for next season."

PA