West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic believes that skipper Mark Noble's impressive penalty record suggests that he should back himself to take more shots on goal.

The 29-year-old scored from the spot in the 1-1 Europa League play-off first leg draw with Astra Giurgiu on Thursday night.

Noble has now scored 28 out of 31 penalties for the Hammers which indicates to Bilic that maybe he could try his luck more throughout matches.

"It surprised me because I would not have known he has taken so many," said Bilic of Noble's penalty record.

"I don't want to say it out loud but the way he is taking them is really impressive and hopefully he is going to continue like this.

'The way he takes penalties, he should shoot more!"