Nathan Holland is targeting a quick return to action following his return to the training fields, having missed the last three months with a hamstring tear.
Holland underwent surgery in mid-November to repair the damage and has been on the sidelines since, bringing an abrupt end to an excellent run of form for the winger, with the 19-year-old netting three goals in eight league games for West Ham’s U23s.
The pacey wide-man is now back out on the training pitches at Chadwell Heath and is eager to restart his campaign as soon as possible.
“It feels great to be back on the grass and training again,” a beaming Holland told whufc.com. “I’ve been working hard in the gym and now I’m back out on the grass, and the hard work behind closed doors has paid off. I’m hoping that shows now I’m outside again.
It feels great to be back on the grass and training again...Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the chance to get back on in a game.
Nathan Holland
“Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long for the chance to get back on in a game. I’ll be ready to be in a squad when Terry thinks I’ll be ready. Hopefully I can just kick on, like I was never injured in the first place, but I can’t wait to be back playing games again with the boys.”
With his injury, Holland has been forced to miss out on training sessions and matches, but the youngster believes his period out of action will make him a better player in the long run.
He continued: “Considering how long I’ve been out injured, I think I have coped mentally very well. I feel like it has actually made me mentally stronger and determined to recover. While it’s been frustrating, I think the experience overall has helped me in some ways and made me a better player.
“It is very tough watching the boys training when I’ve been inside but I can’t wait to get out there and help them.”
Holland’s injury lay-off unfortunately coincided with the appointment of David Moyes as West Ham United first team manager, taking away the opportunity for the Academy prospect to impress the new boss.
Holland made his first team debut against Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup, in September, and Moyes has proven he is willing to give young players a chance, with the likes of Toni Martinez, Domingos Quina, Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke all playing under the Scotsman.
The winger admits his spell on the sidelines came at a frustrating time but is confident he can get back to his best in the very near future.
“The timing was very frustrating as I felt I was developing well, but as they say everything happens for a reason, and now I will be back more motivated, prepared and determined to do well and can hopefully carry on where I left off.”