West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is "looking forward" to the hectic festive fixtures, despite the toll it can take on players.

After this weekend's match against Leicester City, the Hammers will face Chelsea, Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion over the Christmas period.

At the moment, Allardyce's men are fourth in the Premier League table after eight wins, four draws and four defeats.

"We've got to keep the shape of our season as high as it is at the moment," Allardyce told reporters. "We've achieved great things in our first 16 games and are looking forward to the Christmas games, even if it is a strenuous period.

"We're looking forward to Leicester, then two London derbies. There will be fatigue, there will be injuries so we will have to rotate the team. It's just play, recover, play, recover. But Leicester, for me, is the most important game of the season."

West Ham are three points behind third-placed Manchester United.