Alan Curbishley believes his striker Craig Bellamy can become a West Ham United legend.

The £7.5million summer recruit from Liverpool has three goals to his name after netting the first in the Hammers' comprehensive dismantling of Reading at the Madejski Stadium, where they had been thrashed 6-0 last season.

And Curbs said: "Liverpool moved on this summer and made big changes and as soon as I knew he was available we had to work hard to get him in - and we did have to work hard.

"I had to sell the club to him and promise I was getting other players in. And the one other thing I said to him was that the West Ham fans would love him for his endeavour, his passion and his finishing.

"I told him his career could lift off at West Ham and we are delighted he decided to come.

"He drives you mad at times when he keeps dropping off because he is so dangerous on the last man but he is a better player than I first thought when he came here.

"I haven't had a minute's problem with him and we are all delighted with him. He is a talented, talented player."