West Ham United U23 captain Moses Makasi is craving a winning return to the side when his team host Derby County at London Stadium.
The midfielder has missed the Hammers’ last four matches due to an ankle injury but is fit and ready for his comeback in the Premier League 2 fixture on Friday.
Makasi’s side have coped well in his absence, picking up three wins – against Manchester United and Manchester City’s U23s as well as League One Bristol Rovers – and a goalless draw with Chelsea.
And a victory over Derby in Terry Westley’s side’s second London Stadium fixture of the season would see the Hammers climb two places into second in the league table.
SECURE YOUR SEAT AT LONDON STADIUM NOW
“Personally, coming back from injury feels great and I’m ready to go again in the Derby game,” said Makasi ahead of the clash.
“Coping with injuries from a mental point of view is hard because all you know is playing football, so watching on the sidelines is never easy.
You have to stay focused and get back into the best possible shape and be ready for selection. I’m ready to go again
Moses Makasi
“But you have just got to get on with it, stay focused and get back into the best possible shape and be ready for selection. That’s what I think I have done and I’m ready to go again.”
With Makasi on the sidelines, 17-year-old Conor Coventry and Portuguese youth international Domingos Quina have been the side’s regular deep-lying midfielders, while the likes of Grady Diangana and Joe Powell, both of whom naturally play in wide positions, have also filled in.
And the U23s’ senior man has been impressed to see them perform so well in recent weeks to maintain the Hammers’ impressive positioning in Division One.
“They’ve done really well to get some positive results in the last few games and it just shows the depth in the squad that we have.
“We’ve had some great younger players like Conor coming in, stepping in and showing they’re ready for this level of football. It’s really positive and hopefully it continues for the rest of the season.”
In their last fixture at London Stadium, Toni Martinez bagged a hat-trick as the hosts beat Manchester United 4-2, while last season, the side picked up four points in their three main stadium games.
And Makasi hopes that good form in front of the home supporters in E20 can continue this week.
“Our style of attacking football gets supporters excited and we want to continue that against a good Derby team.
“They’ve scored a lot of goals this season and will be a good test for us, but we believe we can come out with another victory.”
West Ham Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Friday’s fixture free of charge, while adults and concessions are priced at £5 and £3 respectively.
All supporters do, however, have to book their seat in advance of visiting London Stadium and can do so here.