MARK Noble made it clear last week that he wants to remain at West Ham United for the rest of his career.

That came as no surprise to me as Noble is West Ham through and through.

But I do think that the Hammers captain’s days in Slaven Bilic’s first choice side should be coming to an end.

Noble has been a mainstay at the heart of the Irons’ midfield for the best part of a decade, but this has arguably been the Canning Town-born man’s most disappointing campaign.

Too many mistakes have been made by Noble and, although he has never been a particularly quick player, he has been even further off the pace this term and struggled at times to complete the 90 minutes.

The former Hull City and Ipswich Town loanee has also been overshadowed by Pedro Obiang in the centre of midfield.

Obiang failed to nail down a place in the side following his move from Sampdoria last season but he has come into his own this season.

Due to Bilic’s insistence on sticking with Noble, Cheikhou Kouyate has been deployed for much of the season in defence.

But there is no doubting that Kouyate is better in midfield and the Senegalese international’s bursting runs were a big reason for West Ham’s success last season.

I think that the Hammers’ first choice midfield pairing in the 2017/18 season should be Obiang and Kouyate.

The pair are comfortable on the ball and not afraid to get stuck in. They would also give the Hammers defence plenty of cover.

But Kouyate’s pace and power would give Bilic’s side another outlet going forward and that is something Noble does not give West Ham.

Noble will remain at the London Stadium beyond this term, but I do not think he should be an automatic first choice for much longer.