Michael Mancienne is hoping his versatility will prove a positive as he battles for a regular place in the Wolves team.

The England-under-21 defender, who has already made 11 starts and five substitute appearances in the league so far, has recently excelled in the centre of midfield showing another string to the bow having started the season in the heart of the defence.

It was only illness - and then the form of Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra - which prevented the Chelsea star from re-filling that defensive berth and he remains happy enough to be working hard in search of a sustained first team spot.

"I've been enjoying it all so far," he says.

"I lost my place in the team through illness and the lads have been doing very well so I've just been trying to work hard in training and make sure that every time I come on for the team I do well.

"That's all you can do to try and win your place back.

"I've come on in central midfield a few times for Chelsea and I have played there a few times in the past.

"I've done it for England-under-21s as well so I know the position.

"I do enjoy it there because you're able to get on the ball.

"It's good to be versatile when you can and if the manager wants me to play in central midfield I feel I can do a job."

Michael is once again the squad for tomorrow's trip to his native London and a few familiar faces in the West Ham ranks.

"I know a few of the West Ham boys - Tomkins, Noble and Stanislas," he says.

"And Carlton Cole as well from my time at Chelsea, although he's injured at the moment.

"They're all good players and West Ham are a good team so we're in for a tough match.

"But these are games we have to feel we can win if we put on a good performance.

"We're getting into the second half of the season now and any points we can pick up will really count."

"I think we have to be positive about what's ahead particularly with how we've been playing.

"If we can keep performing as we are and competing every week hopefully we can keep out of the bottom three."