It would be easy for West Ham to move into cruise control for the final eight matches of this season.

After all, they sit comfortably in mid-table so what difference does a position here or there really make in the grand scheme of things?

West Ham fans will not be surprised to know James Collins does not see it that way.

But the no-nonsense 31‑year-old defender has a special reason for wanting to shine against Leicester on Saturday and in the seven games after that. He wants a new contract at the club he “loves”.

Collins has played almost 150 times for West Ham in two spells, first from 2005-09 and then, after three seasons at Aston Villa, from 2012 to the present.

“I’ve been here a long time and I love it,” he said. “The first time around I didn’t want to leave but it was sort of thrust upon me and I left with a heavy heart.

“To come back was fantastic and now, with the club about to make a massive step forward and to have a chance to be part of that with the club I love, would be amazing.”

Collins’s contract runs out next summer, just before the Hammers move into the Olympic Stadium.

“I feel as fit as ever,” he said. “If the opportunity came to sign another contract I would jump at the chance but I know the football has to do the talking, I have to perform well until the end of the season and then, hopefully, we can sort something out. You can’t take your foot off the pedal, it is professional pride and we’re still aiming to finish eighth.

“Since we came back up to the Premier League, 10th has been the highest we’ve finished. To better that would be great. We want to finish strong because if you do that you more often than not start the next season well.”

West Ham went into the international break on the back of a 1-0 win over Sunderland, their first League victory for two months.

On Saturday, they face a side who were ninth in early October but are now at the foot of the table.

“I’ve watched Leicester a few times and I still remember them scoring five against Manchester United,” said Collins. “It was vital we were able to notch that win against Sunderland. It wasn’t the prettiest of matches but one of the most important, coming off the back of a poor run.”

Collins also had a word for boss Sam Allardyce, whose future remains uncertain beyond the end of the season.

“The gaffer never mentions it,” he said. “He’s a very professional guy, he prepares us well for every game.

“From a personal view I think we’ve had a tremendous season and it would be shame to see him go because he brought me back to the club and showed great faith in me.”