West Ham can look to Chelsea clash with confidence believes Guy Demel

West Ham face another tricky fixture following defeat to United

United's Robin van Persie celebrates his first-minute goal (PA)

West Ham defender Guy Demel believes his team-mates can look ahead to Saturday's clash with Chelsea in confident mood despite last night's defeat at Manchester United.

Robin van Persie's early goal proved enough to deny the Hammers, who had moved into seventh spot prior to their weekend defeat at Tottenham.

Yet despite suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, Demel feels the battling nature of West Ham's performance suggests they can inflict more pain on Rafael Benitez this weekend.

"If we play like that against Chelsea and are more clever in front of goal, we have a chance to win the game," Demel told http://www.whufc.com.

"Chelsea are a similar team to Manchester United, but they were worried last night. You couldn't hear their fans.

"At home this weekend I think we will push forward more.

"We don't need to hide because we have an opportunity to win the game."

However, manager Sam Allardyce has admitted injuries are beginning to bite at Upton Park.

With half a dozen players missing last night, the West Ham chief was forced to draft members of his academy onto the bench, including three who had just one substitutes' appearance between them.

The one consolation is that midfielder Mark Noble is available at the weekend after missing last night's game through suspension.

"We have been stretched for a while," said Allardyce.

"My players ran their hearts out to stay in the game and we did put fresh legs on but after those we used, we are into the kids.

"At least Mark Noble is back for Saturday, which is important because we are tired."

PA