STEPHEN HENDRIE headed south last summer as he looked to turn his English dreams into a reality. Now, he hopes the only way is up.

The left-back already has a move to the Olympic Stadium to look forward to next season, but he could head into the new campaign with a cup medal to his name and with a Champions League campaign on the horizon.

The future looks bright for West Ham and Hendrie is determined not to let his Hammers bubble burst. He has work to do, but the lure of what lies ahead inspires him.

A handful of games on loan at Southend are his only first team outings so far this term and he has had to watch on as Slaven Bilic’s side have moved to the brink of a top four finish.

Hendrie netted the winner as the Irons’ Under-21s beat Liverpool to book their place in the Premier League Cup final against Hull. He may not have made his Upton Park breakthrough just yet, but the former Hamilton defender remains on the right track.

Hendrie said: “I am back with the 21s and we are in the cup final now so it is looking good for the rest of the season.

“I would have liked to have stayed out on loan and played more but it wasn’t to be. I am happy to be back at West Ham and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.

“We have some great players so I will stick with the 21s and see the season out and then give it another go next season.

“It is amazing to be at the club and to be involved right now. We are only one point off a Champions League spot so to be around the place with the big names is great.

“Everything is going well for West Ham just now and it is a good club to be at. Hopefully we can kick-on and get that Champions League spot.

“It is good to be at a club like West Ham, it is a club that is moving forward and looking to do bigger and better things.

“We are moving to the Olympic Stadium with 60,000 crowds and that is a big move but we have got the players and the fans to do it.

“The supporters are unbelievable and everyone is looking forward to the end of this season and next year.”

In this unpredictable and remarkable Premier League campaign, West Ham are one of the success stories of the season south of the border.

Bilic’s side are just one point behind Man City and five adrift of Arsenal as they set their sights on a top four finish this term.

It has meant Hendrie has been left frustrated in his bid to force his way into the starting line-up, but the 21-year-old is loving life in the Capital.

He said: “It is going to be hard for me because the manager isn’t going to drop someone after one bad game and stick someone else in.

“We have some quality players and we have had a great season. It is going to be hard for me but it is a challenge and one I am looking forward to.

“He said that I needed to go out on loan and play games. I know what I need to do.

“He is a great guy to work with. He came in and we are flying and everyone at the club loves him.

“He has so much passion about him and that is what you want from a manager. He loves the game and he is a great coach on the training field as well. It is all good.”

Before Hendrie can dream of what lies ahead with West Ham, he has a more pressing matter to attend to in France tonight.

He is set to line up for the Scotland Under-21s in what is a defining European Championship qualifier and the left-back knows Ricky Sbragia’s side have to be at the top of their game.

Hendrie said: “It is not going to be easy, of course, playing France away. It is going to be a hard game but we have got a plan and we will give it our best shot.

“We are going there to win the game so hopefully we can get the points. People have said it is a must-win game and the boys are up for it. Hopefully we can get the win.”

Hendrie may have plenty to look forward to in the coming months but he still has thoughts for the place where he made his name.

Hamilton are tenth in the Premiership standings after a mixed campaign to date and Hendrie hopes Martin Canning’s side can finish with a flourish this term.

He said: “I have been to a few Accies games this season and I go whenever I can I get back up. I will never forget them.

“Hopefully they can finish the season well and climb further up the table. They haven’t been on a great run but they have got what it takes to stay up again.”