Noble focussed on Under 21s

Hammers midfielder more concerned with England U21 Qualifier

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 4th September 2008

Mark Noble: England U21

Noble: Focussed on U21

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble insists he is only focussing on playing for his country despite the unsettlement at Upton Park.

Alan Curbishley resigned as the West Ham manager on Wednesday and sources at Upton Park suggest they have a list of 30 candidates to replace the former Charlton manager within the next week.

The England under-21 international only found out about the situation from watching Sky Sports News, but local-born Noble maintains his focus is on Friday's European Under-21 Championship Qualifier against Portugal and not the ongoing speculation at Upton Park.

"I was eating lunch and it popped up on Sky Sports News and that's the first I've heard of it," the 21-year-old said.

"I'll just see what happens on Sky Sports News, and put that behind me until Monday when I go back to West Ham.

"We've got an important game to look forward to on Friday and that's all that matters at the minute.

"As I say, it's not important to me at the minute, it will be important Monday."