Herita Ilunga is enjoying being back in the thick of it with West Ham United after injury blighted last season at the Boleyn Ground.
The left-back was a welcome sight at left-back in the league opener last weekend and should lineup on Saturday for his first top-flight home game since 10 February. In fact, the 45 minutes that day against Birmingham City and his run-out last week at Aston Villa were his only Barclays Premier League minutes so far in 2010.
Having worked hard with the club's medical team and played a full part in pre-season, Ilunga is ready to remind that he can be a major player in the squad. "I am fit. I have worked a lot during the summer and in the holidays. It went very well. I am happy with how pre-season went. I have to keep working like that."
As such, Ilunga is eager to figure against Bolton Wanderers this Saturday - when it is Kids for a Quid for all youngsters coming with an adult and also against Oxford United next Tuesday. That match has tickets at just £5 for children and £10 for adults and Ilunga relishes such competitions - all three of his Hammers goals to date have come in the cups.
"It was very difficult to watch last season. The first time I experienced that in my career and to have four months away from the pitch was very hard to take. But that is football. The most important thing for me is that I am back to help the team.
"I am positive about the new season. The manager has come in with a good mentality and everybody wants to work well. I think it will be a great season for the club."
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