Upson is winning the mind games

His resurgence gained full recognition after Upson was selected for Fabio Capello's first England squad, going on to impress playing the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 win over Switzerland.

It is all a far cry from Upson's first season at Upton Park a recurring calf problem restricted him to just 41 minutes of football following his £8million move from Birmingham in January.

The career threatening injury was ultimately cured in most unorthodox fashion after Upson was advised to stuff torn up sheets of the Yellow Pages into his boots by kinesiology expert – the science of how the feet affect the rest of the body - Ron Holder.

But Upson willingness to explore all avenues when it comes to keeping himself in tip top condition extends beyond the physical, hence his reliance on the science of sports psychology.

"You go so far in your career and if you are not making the right kind of progress then you have to change some things," said Upson of his decision to seek the one on one help of a sports psychologist.

"I use someone who I speak to a lot about my performance and we analyse everything; my behaviour, my training during the week, everything. It is now starting to pay off. I have been turning out pretty consistent performances, which is something I have been working really hard on for the last 18 months.

"I am mentally preparing myself for the games and knowing that even if some days you go in and you don't feel great at the start of a game, it is a case of mentally adapting and making sure you put in a good performance."

Such focusing of the mind has become as integral part of Upson's match preparation as any grueling training session under the orders of manager Alan Curbishley.

"The preparation starts on Thursday or Friday for a Saturday game – it is a case of finding the time whenever you want to sit down and think positively about what you are doing to do at the weekend," revealed Upson.

"That is an important factor for players; to be able to visualise what they are going to do before they do it. It (mental focus) is a massive part of the game; just as important as physical training, if not more important.

"Some people habitually can do it, they can focus. Some people can't. You can train, teach yourself, or, with help, learn to improve those skills and have a dramatic effect on your performance. It is quite a personal thing."

So personal, Upson is perhaps understandably unwilling to divulge the details of his sessions on the psychiatrist's coach. But he is no doubt as to the beneficial effect of such preparation on his game.

"I have changed a lot," insisted Upson.

"Mentally, I am much stronger and more aware of what my job is and how to go about it. Physically, I am in the best shape of my life and that will only improve with the training and the work that is going on.

"I can 100 per cent say I am a much better player. Every day I want to get better and I want to learn, I want to improve and those are the things that are going to help me achieve what I want to do."

High on that list of ambitions is the burning desire to ensure his return to the international scene is more than just a fleeting visit. "First and foremost, I am concerned with West Ham United, the results we get and making sure I am ready to play for them," said Upson.

"But definitely it (England) is something I think about, something I want to do and achieve again. That is what I am working towards. That is the pinnacle in everyone's career, to represent their country and it is something that I am very hungry to do again."