George McCartney is loving life at West Ham United all over again.
The left-back has played every minute since 24 August following his move back to the Boleyn on a season-long loan from Sunderland. He was impressive again on Saturday in the 2-1 win at Coventry City and looks to be a firm fixture in Sam Allardyce's side.
His performance was all the more impressive given that he had not trained fully in the run-up to the Ricoh Stadium encounter because of a new arrival in the McCartney household. It was the third child born to McCartney and his wife Elaine, and things are going well on and off the pitch.
"My little boy was born last week," he told West Ham TV. "So I haven't had much training, I was only back in on Friday. It is great to have them here, everything went well with the birth. I am thankful all was safe."
McCartney is just the latest new dad at Chadwell Heath, with Abdoulaye Faye, Carlton Cole and Matt Taylor as well as head of sports medicine and sport science Andy Rolls among those celebrating a baby this season.
The good times are certainly being enjoyed football-wise as well, although McCartney admitted to relief that he and the team had turned things around from a losing position at Coventry.
"It was a tough game. It always is when you are playing against teams who are fighting for every point. We knew it was going to be a hard battle. In the first half, Coventry played really well.
"We didn't really turn up. In the second half we got our game together and passed the ball a lot better and thankfully got the three points that we needed."
McCartney is keen to keep his second spell at Upton Park going, and would relish a longer stay beyond this season.
"It has been great. I am thankful for the Chairmen and the manager for bringing me back here. You don't get many second chances to come back to a club like West Ham. We are going well in the league and hopefully I can stay in the team and keep improving."