West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce insists Nicky Maynard must stay.

Maynard was told he is an "important member of the squad" after a goal and a man-of-the-match performance helped West Ham to a 2-0 Capital One Cup victory over his former club Crewe.

"Nicky Maynard needed a game and he scored against his old team. He has put in a decent performance and that is all you can do - a decent performance and a goal," Hammers No2 Neil McDonald said.

"He is certainly a goal-scorer and he took his goal very, very well.

"He is involved all the time, he is on the bench. Nothing that I have heard (suggests he won't be here this time next week).

"He is an important member of the squad and he has put in a good performance today and given the manager something to think about, that's for sure."