Alan Curbishley looks set to have a host of players involved again for pre-season training after the club's medical staff reported positive progress from Chadwell Heath.
Wales defenders Danny Gabbidon and James Collins missed significant parts of the 2007/08 campaign but are working hard to overcome their long-term injuries. The duo's international team-mate Craig Bellamy already appears to be over his abdominal condition with a couple of lively appearances for Wales and is expected to commence training with the rest of the first-team squad from early July. This is also the case for winger Matthew Etherington, after a groin injury, and Calum Davenport, who has recovered well from a fractured bone in his neck.
Gabbidon, who has not played since November with a stomach and pelvic problem, has been in Italy receiving alternative therapy including osteopathy and strengthening techniques to help his spine to articulate. This work with specialists has helped his hips and in turn will allow his condition to improve faster. It is hoped he could return to training during pre-season. Collins, meanwhile, has again received a positive report from surgeons in his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in January and should feature in pre-season training. He could return early in the season.
Another who will be particularly eager to get going is England international Kieron Dyer. A double leg break at the start of last season meant he played just three times upon his high-profile move to the club. He has maintained his fitness work this summer and has had an excellent response to further surgery. Dyer is on course to start pre-season with the rest of his team-mates as are Lee Bowyer and Matthew Upson after they continued to focus on their respective groin and calf problems after the end of the 2007/08 season.
Julien Faubert sat out the last two games in May but is also fully fit after his previous hamstring trouble. Nigel Quashie missed the entire 2007/08 campaign but is aiming to join in fully from the start of pre-season after extensive efforts to overcome his foot injury. Finally, Jonathan Spector has had hip surgery after being diagnosed with torn cartilage and will be out for up to six months. As it stands, he looks set to be the only West Ham United first-team player who will definitely not take any part in the summer programme.
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