Gianfranco Zola and his West Ham United squad have turned their attention firmly to Monday night's home game against West Bromwich Albion.
The squad have been hard at work this week at a warm-weather training camp in Spain and a positive mood was reported. "It was very important to be able to get away and train in new surroundings," the manager said. The trip saw several coaching sessions led by Zola, Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen along with an intense fitness programme on and off the pitch with Antonio Pintus.
Zola added: "It has been really positive and there were many benefits for everyone. It was the right moment to change the scenario and freshen things up for the players." The manager said that the run-in until the end of the campaign was going to be "a matter of physical condition" and was confident his players were up for the challenge, including those returning from injury.
He also had a word for Valon Behrami, who like Jack Collison, missed out on the training week after his long-term knee injury was confirmed. "Valon has been exceptional, one of the players of the season. Knowing the kind of personality he is, I am sure he will do his best to be back as soon as he can."