Tomas Repka has received international clearance to play against
Middlesbrough - in the nick of time.
With minutes to spare, the necessary documentation was completed and assistant boss Paul Goddard paid tribute to his colleagues at the club for getting the job done in time.
"We are pleased it is all done and dusted and this will give everyone a boost, not just for tomorrow but for the future," says Paul.
"Paul Aldridge and others must take a lot of credit; I know they have been working since the early hours of the morning so credit to them."
With Brian Deane back for the Boro, who are without Alen Boksic, it could be an aerial introduction to the Premiership for Tomas.
Says Paul:
"Tomas is being thrown in at the deep end somewhat, but he is very experienced.
"It is a real tough test and Tomas is not the biggest of centre halves - but he has come across plenty of them in Italy before and dealt with them.
"He will relish the challenge and bring his vast experience of international football to the club."
Paul urges whoever makes way for Tomas, who represents another club record fee just a week after Don Hutchison became the first West Ham purchase to break the £5m barrier, not to be too downhearted, and adds:
"I think everyone who appreciates the rigours of the Premiership knows it is a squad game - and that everyone in the squad is delighted Tomas is now on board."
Ironically, it is at the other end of the pitch where West Ham have bigger problems at the moment and Paul says of the failure to score in open play this season:
"We have talked about it and on a positive side we have kept three clean sheets in a row.
"But we do have to do better in the advanced areas, and the midfield and wide players have all got to take responsibility."
With senior strikers missing at Reading, life was not made any easier up front, and Paul adds:
"Fredi pulled up with a hamstring at Derby but it is not in the same spot as his previous injury.
"Paolo had a bit of swelling on the ankle after getting a nasty knock.
"Paolo has this vision and he can see things; sometimes when he is not there we get a bit static, and obviously Fredi gives us another option - everyone knows it is an area we need to improve on.
"Reading wasn't a bad performance by any means but we need to turn those draws into wins.
"All the lads are working as hard as they can and I'm sure the results will come."
Starting, hopefully, at Middlesbrough.
Paul adds:
"They have lost four and let in a huge amount of goals, but they won midweek which will give them confidence.
"Especially in the first half hour the north east people will get behind them, but if we can go ahead or start solid they will get on their backs and put pressure on them.
"It is very important we perform to a high standard."
With minutes to spare, the necessary documentation was completed and assistant boss Paul Goddard paid tribute to his colleagues at the club for getting the job done in time.
"We are pleased it is all done and dusted and this will give everyone a boost, not just for tomorrow but for the future," says Paul.
"Paul Aldridge and others must take a lot of credit; I know they have been working since the early hours of the morning so credit to them."
With Brian Deane back for the Boro, who are without Alen Boksic, it could be an aerial introduction to the Premiership for Tomas.
Says Paul:
"Tomas is being thrown in at the deep end somewhat, but he is very experienced.
"It is a real tough test and Tomas is not the biggest of centre halves - but he has come across plenty of them in Italy before and dealt with them.
"He will relish the challenge and bring his vast experience of international football to the club."
Paul urges whoever makes way for Tomas, who represents another club record fee just a week after Don Hutchison became the first West Ham purchase to break the £5m barrier, not to be too downhearted, and adds:
"I think everyone who appreciates the rigours of the Premiership knows it is a squad game - and that everyone in the squad is delighted Tomas is now on board."
Ironically, it is at the other end of the pitch where West Ham have bigger problems at the moment and Paul says of the failure to score in open play this season:
"We have talked about it and on a positive side we have kept three clean sheets in a row.
"But we do have to do better in the advanced areas, and the midfield and wide players have all got to take responsibility."
With senior strikers missing at Reading, life was not made any easier up front, and Paul adds:
"Fredi pulled up with a hamstring at Derby but it is not in the same spot as his previous injury.
"Paolo had a bit of swelling on the ankle after getting a nasty knock.
"Paolo has this vision and he can see things; sometimes when he is not there we get a bit static, and obviously Fredi gives us another option - everyone knows it is an area we need to improve on.
"Reading wasn't a bad performance by any means but we need to turn those draws into wins.
"All the lads are working as hard as they can and I'm sure the results will come."
Starting, hopefully, at Middlesbrough.
Paul adds:
"They have lost four and let in a huge amount of goals, but they won midweek which will give them confidence.
"Especially in the first half hour the north east people will get behind them, but if we can go ahead or start solid they will get on their backs and put pressure on them.
"It is very important we perform to a high standard."