- West Ham take on Karlsruher at 4pm BST on Saturday
- Young left back Lewis Page hoping for another chance to impress
- Academy graduate has eyes on European experience
The 20-year-old left back has been away with the senior squad ever since their return to training, first travelling to the United States and then forming part of the group currently in Austria.
With another game against German side Karlsruher to follow on Saturday, Page is ready to show what he can do again.
“For me it’s great to be here,” he explained. “It’s with the first team and I’m at the age now where I’m trying to break through.
“It’s nice conditions, I’m enjoying training even though it’s been tough and we’re working on getting our match fitness back. We’re getting there.
“Hopefully I can get a little bit of pitch time on Saturday. I know Cress is trying to rack up his minutes as well to get ready for the start of the season, so I’ll take as many minutes as I can and try to impress again."
Last year the Europa League gave me the best experience of my career, playing in front of a full house at Upton Park
With a UEFA Europa League qualifying game against NK Domzale coming up quickly, Page is hoping to build on his experience of last season’s campaign.
He continued: “Last year the Europa League gave me the best experience of my career, playing in front of a full house at Upton Park.
“Hopefully I can be involved in the squad for this year’s games and experience that again.”
That experience could include a run out at the Hammers’ new home, and having played in front of a big crowd on tour in Seattle, Page is keen to do so again.
He added: “It’s been a chance to impress, the first game in Seattle was in a big stadium in front of 40,000, so it was another experience for me and I’m hoping for many more.
“It’s about being ready because the Premier League is such a tough league fitness-wise. Physically you have to be tip top, so being here in the heat is only going to help.”
He continued: “Last year the Europa League gave me the best experience of my career, playing in front of a full house at Upton Park.
“Hopefully I can be involved in the squad for this year’s games and experience that again.”
That experience could include a run out at the Hammers’ new home, and having played in front of a big crowd on tour in Seattle, Page is keen to do so again.
He added: “It’s been a chance to impress, the first game in Seattle was in a big stadium in front of 40,000, so it was another experience for me and I’m hoping for many more.
“It’s about being ready because the Premier League is such a tough league fitness-wise. Physically you have to be tip top, so being here in the heat is only going to help.”