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I'm the new Ryan Giggs, says Stewart Downing

Stewart Downing has thrived under Sam Allardyce this season © PA Photos

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With an England recall and five goals from a new central position, Stewart Downing has helped turn West Ham into European contenders this season.

And after scoring in Sunday's 3-0 win over Hull, he could be forgiven for feeling a bit more confident in himself after two years of disappointment at former club Liverpool.

But the success may have gone to his head slightly, after team-mate Andy Carroll revealed the midfielder has started comparing himself to Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

"Stewie is a fantastic player," Carroll told West Ham's official website. "He was hinting that he's the new Ryan Giggs, which the lads were giving him stick for. He's a great player and it suits him very nice in that hole."

With two League Cup victories to his name, and the Aston Villa Player of the Season Award in 2011, Downing remains some way short of Giggs' 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, nine Community Shields, two Champions Leagues, one Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, one Club World Cup and PFA Player's Player of the Year award, but at the age of 30, there's plenty of time yet.

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