Hungary Under-21 international Peter Kurucz has set his sights on challenging England goalkeeper Robert Green for the West Ham number one slot.

The 6ft 4ins Hungarian has signed a four-year contract with the Barclays Premier League club after an initial loan spell from Ujpest FC, and now looks set to provide back-up to Green after the Hammers failed to lure Kelvin Davis from Southampton.

With a string of impressive displays for the reserves already under his belt and a place on the first-team bench for the trip to Everton on May 16, Kurucz feels the next step is pressing Green for a regular spot between the posts.

"I played five or six matches in the reserves last season and enjoyed working with Ludek [Miklosko], who is a very good goalkeeping coach, and also Greeny," Kurucz told the club's official website.

"I hope I will play in the Premier League this season, but I think I will play more regularly in the reserve team."

West Ham will travel to China later this month for the Barclays Asia Trophy as part of their pre-season warm-up campaign.

First, though, manager Gianfranco Zola will take his squad on a two-week training camp in Austria, which is set to feature four warm-up games.

Zola, whose men take on local side Grays Athletic this weekend, said: "I am looking forward to the pre-season camp and it should be very good for us.

"It is an important part of the season and it will be good to get everyone together and preparing in the right way.

"We are determined to improve next season and this will help us a lot."

By the time the action starts for real at newly-promoted Wolves on August 15, Zola hopes to have further strengthened his squad, Chile striker Luis Jimenez having joined on a season-long loan from Inter.

One player who could be leaving Upton Park, however, is midfielder Nigel Quashie.

The 30-year-old had a long spell out with a foot injury, and has been linked with a permanent move to Cardiff following loan stints at both Birmingham and Wolves last season.

"I am focused on getting a good pre-season under my belt, but I have heard the speculation flying around about that," Quashie told Sky Sports.

"All I want to do is play football really, whether that is at West Ham or if something materialises at either Cardiff or another club then it will be good for me to get back to giving 100% on the pitch for a football club again.

"West Ham have been great with me whilst I have been on the sidelines and it will obviously be up to them whether I remain at Upton Park or not."