West Ham United vs Queens' Park Rangers: Pain turns to gain for Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell

Aaron Cresswell was an apprentice at Anfield until the age of 15 before being released by then manager Gérard Houllier (Getty)

Aaron Cresswell, the West Ham left-back, feared his career was over before it was started when he was released by boyhood club Liverpool.

Cresswell was an apprentice at Anfield until the age of 15 before being released by then manager Gérard Houllier.

Yet that rejection has acted as a motivation for Cresswell, 24, who played for Tranmere and Ipswich before reaching the top flight once again.

Cresswell, who will face QPR, said: “It was heartbreaking to be released but it’s helped me get where I am today. The way the game is now, you go to a lower-league club and get more of a chance, and thankfully that happened to me. To come to a club like West Ham was big for me and I’ve enjoyed every minute.”