The Hammers recorded a win at Blackburn, Neill's former club, before the two-week break when he travelled to China with Australia.

Neill, 29, got the better of his former team-mates last time out and is now hoping for a similar result against fellow Socceroos Mark Scharzer and Mark Viduka when Middlesbrough travel to Upton Park tomorrow.

"Sometimes it's good to go on such a trip just to give you a little bit of a change and a freshener," said Neill on whufc.com.

"But the timing wasn't the best for the club because we had just come off a win. I think if we had gone into another game sooner rather than later we would have kept that momentum going a lot sooner.

"It's important that we pick up where we left off regardless of the break. I always look forward to the international games. To play for your country is an honour, but at the moment West Ham is more of a focus."

Survival remains only a slim possibility as West Ham are effectively nine points from safety given their poor goal difference.

Neill, however, is focused on victory over Boro, adding: "We're playing Middlesbrough at a good time. Belief is strong, confidence is up and we're playing at home.

"I think with the crowd behind us, if we can get them involved early, it's a game that if we start right, we will win."