The prospect of a long FA Cup run holds no fears for West Ham assistant manager Peter Grant as the team prepares for Sunday's replay at Sheffield United.

In previous years promotion-chasing teams have been perceived as suffering the effects of fixture congestion, with Millwall and Sunderland both facing demanding schedules last season.

And two years ago Sheffield United saw their own promotion push falter amid the heart-ache of two cup semi-final defeats.

But, as Grant points out, cup progress means the team is winning matches and gaining confidence.

"I want to be involved in every possible game," he said.

"People talk about it being a distraction or a release from the league programme, but I don't see it that way.

"Every game is massive for us and we want to win every time we play.

"For me it makes no difference if it's the league or the cup."