West Ham Utd v Chelsea Venue: Upton Park Kick-off: 8.0pm On TV: Sky Sports 1:Captain John Terry insists the next two games are crucial if Chelsea are to keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the Premiership in England.

Chelsea have away games at West Ham tonight and Newcastle at the weekend and Terry believes a maximum six-point haul would put the heat on United as they go into the final stages of a two-horse title race.

Terry, who had trials with the Hammers, admits he still has a soft spot for the relegation-haunted club and, while he wants them to remain in the top flight, he does not want them to edge closer to safety at the expense of Chelsea's title chances.

The 26-year-old said: "My dad had trials for West Ham when he was really young and all my family are West Ham fans.

"They will be in that end of the ground and I will get a bit of stick but that's how it has been for the last four or five years. I was with West Ham as a boy and I've still got small feelings for the club.

"Hopefully they can stay up but hopefully not by beating us. The next two games are crucial for us - West Ham and Newcastle away - but if we can win them, it will be "game on".

"In the last couple of years we have run away with it a little bit but United have shown great desire to come back and push us.

"We are pushing them right to the wire. We know we are in touching distance of them, one result and it swings back in our favour. They have still got to come to Stamford Bridge but the respect is there for them individually and collectively. I think it's a mutual respect.

"We had our bit of misfortune earlier in the season with a few players out. But Joe Cole is back fully fit and played fantastic against Blackburn. Now they've got a couple of injuries and we are all fit bar one of us."

Terry is already looking forward to leading Chelsea out against United in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley on May 19th - four days before the two clubs could meet again in the Champions League showdown in Athens.

He added: "It's got to be a great final for everyone. We certainly wanted that as players. Both teams are in great form and we are pushing them right to the wire in the league as well.

"We could meet them in the Champions League as well so it could be a great end to the season. United have got probably the best player in the world at the moment in (Cristiano) Ronaldo. He is playing superbly and the team is playing well as a whole.

"We are not banging them in as much as them and are not as good as them to watch at the moment but we are getting the results and that is the main thing."

Meanwhile, Andriy Shevchenko would rather face former club AC Milan in the final of the Champions League than complete a hat-trick of epic showdowns with Manchester United.

Shevchenko said: "This season we are fighting against Manchester United on every front. Besides the domestic league and the Champions League, we will have to play against them in the English Cup, which is also very important. But I have already said it, in Athens I would like to face AC Milan. However, I don't like talking about a game that is not yet even in the programme."

The 30-year-old admits he has had problems adapting to a new style of football in his first season at the club and admits the criticism has saddened him.

He added: "I have had my share of problems but they have all been related to having to adapt with a different reality, a new language, the different style of football, it is not easy.

"Here you play very competitive football. I am only saddened that so many people have criticised me at the start of the season when things weren't going well. I have also spoken to Michael Ballack about this.

"I accept any criticism regarding my play but I cannot accept those personal criticisms. Even Michael has received harsh criticisms regarding his performances, without giving him the time to improve."

Chelsea are hoping strikers Didier Drogba and Shevchenko will be fit to face West Ham. Both players collected minor knocks during the FA Cup semi-final win over Blackburn on Sunday but coach Jose Mourinho is expecting them to be fit.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has no fresh injury concerns and is set to name an unchanged squad.

Calum Davenport has not been considered after recovering from a foot injury, with the defender destined for a reserves outing against Reading.