Hammers skipper Neill insists: Playing for Australia is always a top priority

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The full-back will lead the Socceroos in tomorrow's rearranged clash with Argentina in Melbourne but admitted: "As always there's pressure (not to play)."

He added: "I can understand the club's feelings but it is the ultimate goal to play for your country in games like this one."

Manager Alan Curbishley walked into an injury crisis when he took over at West Ham last December but despite their escape from relegation and a vast investment in new players, the problems continue.

Neill missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury. Striker Dean Ashton has just returned after a broken ankle, new French signing Julien Faubert has yet to make his debut after rupturing an Achilles tendon and midfielder Scott Parker has been sidelined by a knee injury. Now Kieron Dyer is out with a broken leg after just three appearances for the Hammers.

But Neill, 29, said: "I've been looking forward to this game (against Argentina) for a while. As we all know, it was meant to be in June.

"But it is a no-brainer to be asked to come back and play against Argentina in front of hopefully 80,000 people.

"And even if it was against the Solomon Islands in front of 15,000, it's the same, you want to play for Australia."

Neill takes over the captain's armband from the unavailable Mark Viduka, Newcastle's new signing from Middlesbrough, while Curbishley frets at Upton Park over the possibility of yet more injuries suffered on international duty.

And it certainly will not come as good news to the Hammers boss as he prepares to field a side for the home match against Middlesbrough on Saturday that Nolberto Solano, his latest free transfer signing from Newcastle, has announced his international comeback for Peru after a two-year absence.

The 32-year-old midfielder wants a last chance of playing in a World Cup finals in 2010 and will retire after that.

Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg is set to return to full training with the Hammers on Wednesday after being sidelined by a thigh injury which kept him out of Sweden's goalless draw with Denmark on Saturday.