Tomas Soucek looks set to be lined up as the next Hammers skipper should the Hammers remain in the Premier League at the end of this season.

The defensive midfielder – currently on loan with a view to a permanent contract at the end of the season – has been outstanding over his early games and would be perfectly placed to take over from Mark Noble in his absences next season.

Mark has admitted that he can no longer be counted on to do it over every game of the season and Soucek – at 25 – looks perfectly placed to take over from the Hammers veteran.

He has been receiving high praise from members of the club’s backroom staff since the game was interrupted by the health scare.

And one highly placed source told us on the phone: “He’s a proper professional – an outstanding example to the squad as they try to keep themselves ticking over with no football in prospect.

“Tomas is out in the park early running and keeping himself as fit as a fiddle should there be a return. He’s an outstanding individual.

“He would have to enter calculations as a future leader should everything turn out as we hope.”