WEST Ham United defender James Tomkins is aiming to give Hammers fans the perfect Christmas present by helping them through the festive period in the Champions League places.

The Hammers currently sit fourth in the Premier League, having enjoyed a superb start to the season and have taken 11 of the last 15 points on offer.

Basildon-born Tomkins, who went to Chalvedon School, spoke to the Echo as he met supporters at the opening of the new club store, in Basildon’s Eastgate Centre, and says the team would love to continue their good run until Christmas.

With six games to go before Christmas and ahead of tough matches against London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal before the new year, Tomkins says West Ham are taking it one game at a time, but they are aiming to be in the top four by Christmas.

“I think it is important not to get too carried away,” said the 25-year-old centre-back, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Everton. “It has been a great start for us.

“There is great confidence among the whole team and it is nice to see us right up there with the big teams. Hopefully it will continue but it is a massive ask to make it go all the way to the end of the year.

“It is too early on to get too carried away but to be in the top half of the table is still the aim at the end of the year.”

Tomkins has been out of the team after picking up a thigh injury against Queens Park Rangers at the start of October, with Sam Allardyce opting for a centre-back pairing of James Collins and Winston Reid in the last four league matches.

And the defender, who has played 194 times for West Ham, says his injury came at a time when he was playing some of his best football.

“I am doing everything I can to get back into the team at West Ham,” he said.

“That is my main goal at the club and I have to focus on that.

“It started really well for myself. At the start I was playing regularly and doing well and the team was getting results and doing alright at the back.

“But then I was injured and that is when someone steps into your position and if they come in and do well it is always hard to get them out of your position.

“Saying that, it is nice to have that competition and have some good players fighting for their places.”

Tomkins added it was his “ultimate goal” to represent England, having played for his country at every age-group between under-16 and under-21, as well as playing at the 2012 Olympics Games.

But he believes if he consistently performs well for the East-Londoners then England manager Roy Hodgson may pick up on his performances.

And Tomkins says it is great for younger players to be getting the nod under Hodgson, with other young defenders Chris Smalling and Calum Chambers recently called-up by the national team.

“I think you can see that Roy Hodgson is willing to give young talent a chance and obviously you never know if he will call on you.

“Being recognised by your country is the ultimate goal for any footballer, and it would be great. But, obviously, I must do well for the club first and hopefully that will speak for itself.”

Tomkins is particularly pleased that the Upton Park faithful have given Allardyce their backing, after he went through a difficult spell last season.

Having lost five of their last six matches of last season, many were calling for the Hammers boss to be axed, but Tomkins says sticking with Sam was the right decision.

“I think it’s great we are playing so well this season and the manager has got us into this position.

“Obviously the chairman put faith in him and this year his record speaks for itself, we’ve done really well and he’s answered the critics.”

Whether they will be in the Champions League places come the end of the season is another question, but few would argue that a top four finish come Christmas would be the perfect gift for all Hammers fans.