Sam Allardyce is looking forward to an exciting week ahead after West Ham United landed in Germany on Monday afternoon.
Big Sam, the rest of the coaching staff and the first-team squad touched down slightly later than planned in Dresden at the start of a six day tour that will include three matches and intense training sessions in the sunshine. The Hammers will kick off their trip with a friendly game against Rot Weiss Erfurt on Wednesday evening before games against Dynamo Dresden on Friday and Energie Cottbus on Sunday.
"We know we are in for a series of tough games and have already had some difficult games against teams from the lower leagues in England this pre-season," Allardyce said. "We will not be taking any of the games lightly."
Kevin Nolan was a welcome sight as the team assembled at the airport early on Monday morning after he was forced off early in the first half of 2-1 victory against Colchester United on Saturday. After initial tests on the West Ham United captain's foot showed promising news, he has travelled with the team to Germany with further results expected later in the week.
Nolan was joined by the full complement of first-team players with only James Tomkins and Mohamed Diame missing due to their Olympic football commitments. Modibo Maiga is expected to join up with the squad later in the week after signing on Thursday as the Hammers gear up for games in front of sell-out crowds with hundreds of Hammers fans expected to turn out alongside the large home support.
"We are all really looking forward to the games and the huge number of spectators coming is exciting. We have brought a very strong squad with us to Germany, with a few youngsters coming in to aid their development as well.
"I am hoping the fans will see some strong performances and hopefully there will be some exciting games for everyone to watch."
whufc.com will have full coverage of Monday evening's first training session in Germany later on.