Midfielder Tomáš Souček says he’s looking forward to being back in the matchday squad following the conclusion of his three-game suspension.
Our No28 missed out on games against Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal after being shown a red card during the Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur on 13 September, meaning he has not played a first-team game for over a month.
The Hammers get back underway in the top-flight in east London in the Monday evening kick-off, looking to register a first home win of the 2025/26 campaign when they welcome Brentford to London Stadium, and boost their current 19th-place standing.
And Souček, who kept up his match fitness by playing the full 90 minutes in the U21s' EFL Trophy game at Reading before leading out his country for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Croatia and the Faroe Islands during the October international window, is relishing taking his place in Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo's squad for the first time.
“It was a tough period for me,” admitted Souček. “It was the first time in my life that I had a situation where I wasn't injured, and I couldn't play three very important games for West Ham, so for me it was really tough.
“I watched every game, obviously, but it was difficult to be on the seat [in the stands], and I couldn't help the players. I was around the squad, and I could speak a little bit, but I couldn't play, so it was so tough, and now I am very excited to come back.
“Everyone who knows me at West Ham knows I can’t not be playing football for that long, so I just wanted to play and get the minutes, and I really enjoyed playing the game for U21s [at Reading].
“I am ready, and I am super fit because on international duty with the Czech Republic, I played two games.
“I am happy that it is at our home stadium. It's a Monday night, so I hope that we have a really good game and that I can come and join the team with a good performance, as it's a very important night for us.”
Brentford's visit to London Stadium on Monday will be Nuno's third game as Head Coach and Souček says he is confident that both he and the rest of his West Ham team-mates can mark it with the Portuguese's first victory.
Souček added: “It was also tough for me because the new Head Coach, Nuno, came and I wasn't available. I couldn't help him from the start, so obviously I spoke with him, and he looks very good, very positive, so I just look forward to working with him and being back in the team.
“I just hope that we will do much better now and we will be more positive as a team, as fans and as everyone connected with West Ham United.”
