Michail Antonio says he would accept the test of the contest from another striker should West Ham sign one this month.
The 31-year-old, who scored his eighth Premier League goal of the season at Crystal Palace on New Year's Day, has been the Hammers' just senior striker for very nearly a year now.
David Moyes is quick to get cover and rivalry for Antonio this month, and the forward says he believes he would profit from the test.
Antonio has scored two times in his last three games, with help at Watford as well, however, as of late went nine matches without an objective.
"I'm an individual where I need a test, I need somebody to be there pushing me and ensure I am doing the right things," Antonio told Standard Sport.
"The time I went nine games without scoring an objective, possibly somebody might have stepped in and given me that little push so I could hit the rear of the net."I am not an individual that would avoid a test. I would accept somebody coming in, I'd accept the opposition."
Talking about his fruitless run, Antonio added: "It was disappointing. I'm an individual who consistently needs to score objectives and I generally accept I should score objectives.
"I'm my greatest pundit so when I wasn't scoring it was baffling however I figured out how to get my initial one, then, at that point, a help last week, and got the objective again at Palace so ideally, I can continue to have objective commitments to help the group."
While Antonio stays the main senior choice up top for West Ham, Moyes is charmed to see him back in structure.
"I thought Mickey gave indications that he was returning to the Mickey we know," said Moyes. "We realize he's had a month or so where he's not exactly been there. He got an objective a few days ago which helped him.
"I think there were pieces of him at Palace that were significantly better compared to he's been. I thought his work was great, he examined a superior condition, for me.
"In general, I'm truly satisfied for him since he's so significant for our group. He drives the line for us, he can dominate us matches all alone, he can make objectives for us."
The objective at Southampton that broke his duck came on Antonio's first appearance since contracting Covid as he scored minutes subsequent to falling off the seat.
Antonio had missed West Ham's Carabao Cup quarter-last loss at Tottenham due to being in seclusion however says the break might have helped him.
Asked what had changed in his game to get back scoring again, Antonio said: "I had Covid! That started me into life!
"I had Covid and I returned, so perhaps having the split away from football to clear my brain. I didn't have the choice to truly consider football I needed to disconnect myself at home so that may be what is happening in light of the fact that the principal game back was Saints [goal], the subsequent game was Watford [assist], and afterward Crystal Palace [goal]. Some of the time it is simply time."
The Jamaica global's objective at Crystal Palace put them on course briefly sequential win and left West Ham one point short of the fourth spot.
Later a troublesome December many had discounted their odds of a surprising Champions League finish, however, the players aren't surrendering trust at this time.
"It isn't done and cleaned until the season is finished," said Antonio.
"That is one thing about us, we have that flexibility. Assuming you check out our record for 2021, there are just four groups who got a greater number of focuses than us. Assuming we can do that in a scheduled year, for what reason wouldn't we be able to do that in the season?"
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