Julien Faubert has been working hard on his rehab in order to get back into contention for the final eight matches of West Ham United's season.
The right-back has been an impressive performer this campaign, cementing a place in Gianfranco Zola's first team. Before he limped out with a hamstring injury against Bolton Wanderers on 6 March, he had scored one goal and made two more in the previous two fixtures at the Boleyn Ground. As such, he is eager to return on home soil
It remains to be seen whether he will figure against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night but if called upon, Faubert is up for the fight. "I feel better and better on the pitch but the toughest matches are still to come," he said. "I feel great and I am positive. The physical work that I did during the summer is paying off."
Reflecting on his recent contribution to the team in the attacking third before his two-game lay-off that ruled him out against Chelsea and Arsenal, Faubert admitted he took as much pleasure creating as scoring. "I hadn't scored for a while so it was a good feeling to find the net again, especially as a full-back.
"Nowadays, full-backs are always part of the game. I was really pleased to score [against Hull] but I was even more thrilled to give the decisive pass in that match to Carlton Cole. I love playing the key ball through to a goalscorer as much as scoring myself. That pass that I made to Carlton, though, gave me more satisfaction."
Playing in his preferred role rather than on the right wing, Faubert has a greater appreciation for the team's defensive efforts and believes they have improved. He also takes great comfort from the man behind him. "Robert Green has saved us in a few matches with some great saves. He is definitely the No1 for England."