Walker pleased to be back

Jimmy Walker returned to action with the reserves on Monday for the first time in five months and the 33-year-old keeper says it's good to be back.

"I've had more comebacks than Sinatra," he joked. "No, it was nice to get back, it's been a while. It's been a hard couple of years. I was trying to get back a little bit earlier but games have been called off and the like. It was great to get back out there and get a feel of it again."

Jimmy has been finding it hard watching from the sidelines in the last few months but has been keeping everyone's spirits up behind the scenes.

"It's so hard watching," he said. "You feel for the lads massively. When you're not involved there's not really anything you can do but be lively around the lads and try and pick them up.

"But it's so hard, you want to be out there and helping and fighting for the cause. That's why we're in the job. Footballers are quite simple - they just want to play football. When they're not they're not happy.

"When it's because of injuries it's even harder really. It's been a difficult time but I've got to keep working every day. Hopefully then I can have a run and, you never know, I can have a part to play in helping the lads on the pitch."

And Jimmy will be one of several Hammers players itching to get out and play against Charlton tomorrow.

"These are the games you want to play in," he said. "The games with pressure on are what it's all about. Whatever you do in those games is what you're remembered for. That's why we're in the game really.

"There are other games left so it's not the be all and end all but it's a massive game to play in. I think all the lads just want to be part of it and be part of the team that can pull us out of it starting Saturday, so it's a massive start to the next eleven games."