Obiang optimistic of being ready for Premier League opener

Pedro Obiang

 

Pedro Obiang’s comeback from injury remains on schedule and the Spanish midfielder is on course to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season.

The Spanish midfielder has been out of action since being hurt in a challenge during West Ham United’s meeting with Leicester City at London Stadium in March.

Obiang underwent surgery on his ankle and enjoyed a summer break before heading to Rush Green early to build up his strength and fitness ahead of the squad’s return for pre-season training last Wednesday.

Having come through an energy-sapping first few days at the Club’s sun-drenched training ground, the 25-year-old joined his teammates as they flew out to Austria for a ten-day camp on Monday morning.

“I am ready,” said the No14, who signed a new long-term contract with the Hammers last week. “I worked a little bit before I arrived at Rush Green and came back one week early to work with some guys inside [the training ground], and they helped me to be ready to start with the boys on the first day.

“I trained with the team at the end of last week to know if I was ready, then we will go to Austria to continue our training.”

I am starting to feel confident in my ankle, so I think in August I will be ready to be at the same level

Pedro Obiang

For Obiang, being fit to start work on the first day of pre-season alongside his teammates was important, both physically and mentally.

The popular player did not want to be left behind fitness-wise, while he was also keen to be out on the pitch with Slaven Bilic and his coaching staff as preparations got underway for the big kick-off at Manchester United on Sunday 13 August.

Obiang and company will step up their training under sunny skies in south east Austria over the next few days, before taking on Championship side Fulham in a pre-season match in Graz on Thursday evening.

 

Pedro Obiang

 

“It is important for my confidence and also because I am starting on the same day as all my teammates,” he confirmed. “You can lose one or two days, of course, because sometimes it’s better to wait, but in this case we worked hard and I’m ready.”

“I think I have time [to be ready for the start of the Premier League season] because we are still in July and we have one month to work together.

“I am starting to feel confident in my ankle, so I think in August I will be ready to be at the same level [as I was before the injury].”