Stephen Hendrie is looking forward to another stern pre-season test when West Ham United travel to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
The summer signing has featured at left back against Peterborough United and Southend United so far this summer, and says facing Championship opposition this weekend is another step towards getting ready for the Barclays Premier League campaign ahead.
"The schedule has been busy with a lot of games," he explained. "We went to extra time and pens on Thursday and now we have Charlton on Saturday, so they're coming thick and fast.
"Hopefully I can get a bit of game time, then there's another one a few days later at Norwich but it's good because it gets you fitter quicker and ready for the start of the season.
"We had Peterborough and Southend, now it's Charlton so it's good to constantly step up like that. It's good progress so far."
Hendrie watched on from the sidelines as the Hammers scraped past Birkirkara on penalties on Thursday but says that experience will make them stronger in the UEFA Europa League.
He added: "It was a nervy time during the penalties but they boys' penalties were great and I'm happy we're through. That's the main thing.
"It's another good opponent to play against next. I've heard a lot about them and they're a good team.
"Hopefully we can turn them over and get through to the next round, but we know it will be a hard game. It's a shame it's not Inverness as it would have been good to get back up to Scotland and see some familiar faces, but at the end of the day they're out and Astra are through so we'll look ahead to the next round."
Season Ticket Holders can buy their tickets for FC Astra now, priced at just £10 Adults and £5 U16s from whufcboxoffice.com