Chicharito will return to the West Ham United squad for Saturday’s Premier League derby with Chelsea at London Stadium.
The Mexico striker is back in full training after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered while on international duty a month ago.
And with England centre forward Andy Carroll also available for selection against the Blues, manager David Moyes says his attacking options have been boosted at just the right time.
“We’re looking much better,” he confirmed. “We have had a whole host of players back training for a few days, not fully training and in some cases I would say not fully fit either, but it’s good to get them back. Chicharito is one of those who is back in training.
“It’s early days so I don’t want to get carried away [and say this is a David Moyes team] just yet, but I have to say the players have been really good. They’ve tried to take on board what we’ve asked of them and they’re doing the work.
“I’ve said right from the start that they have to do the work if they want to play and hopefully they’re all doing that and things will improve. We’re also getting a few players back from injury as well.”
We have had a whole host of players back training for a few days... Chicharito is one of those who is back in training
David Moyes
The manager was not willing to reveal who will start in goal against Chelsea, with much speculation over whether it will be Joe Hart or Adrian who will line up between the sticks on Saturday.
Hart started the Hammers’ opening 14 Premier League fixtures before being ruled out of last weekend’s trip to Manchester City under the terms of his season-long loan.
Adrian stepped in and produced a fine performance at the Etihad Stadium, but Moyes has yet to declare publicly whose name will be on the team sheet to face the champions.
“Well, I wouldn’t give the team out because I’m not here to help Chelsea, so I’ll keep my team until tomorrow. I’ve got my decision in my own mind but I’ll wait until tomorrow to announce it.
“I would always try to speak to the players. There are some occasions when you should speak to the players and others when you don’t need to.”
And what of captain Mark Noble, who missed the trip to Manchester City with a hip injury but is also available to face Chelsea on Saturday?
“What we’ve got is a decision to make over who plays all the time, because we want the players to perform and show what they can do.
“Mark is really influential. He’s great around the dressing room and he’s great around the Club, but he’s not guaranteed, just like there’s nobody guaranteed.
“We’ve got to find a way of winning and I want players who are going to help me win and I’m going to pick the players I believe are in form.”