Marcus Browne expressed his delighted at returning to action in a West Ham United shirt and admitted he can’t wait to turn out again for the U23s on Monday.
Browne started in the Hammers’ 3-1 defeat to Leicester City in Premier League 2 last week, playing his first minutes since April after a lengthy injury lay-off due to a knee problem.
The attacker completed 45 minutes for Terry Westley’s men and was a constant threat at the King Power Stadium before the hosts took control in the second period.
And Browne this week has the opportunity to work on his fitness further as Liverpool – top of Division 1 after four successive wins – visit Dagenham and Redbridge’s Chigwell Construction Stadium.
“Hopefully I can get some more minutes in the tank against Liverpool to help with the fitness,” the 19-year-old said. “It’s a big game for everyone involved as they have started well.
“It’s a chance for us to bounce back after the Leicester game and a chance to put things right and get back to winning ways.
“It felt really good to be out there against Leicester. It’s been a long five months. I’m grateful to the medical department we have at the Club as they’ve been tough on me, but it’s what I’ve needed.
I'm going to continue working with the physio department and the coaches to rebuild my fitness until I'm at a stage where I'm ready to play a full 90 minutes
Marcus Browne
“I’d have expected nothing less, so yes, I’m very grateful.
“Training has also been good, the boys are training at a good standard and it's tough but it's just the way we like it.”
The Foxes fielded the likes of experienced Robert Huth and summer signing Kelechi Iheanacho last week, meaning Browne’s return was made even more of a challenge.
But the forward, who captained the U23s a number of times last season before a loan spell at Wigan Athletic, was pleased with the test.
“It was a strong Leicester squad with some highly-rated first team players. But it was a good test for me and the boys.
“Of course it's always hard playing against a player who is full of experience and has played in the Premier League week-in, week-out for so many years, and I think their experience showed.
“It made it really hard for us. But these are the challenges we thrive off and it'll only make us better players.
“For now I'm just going to continue working on and off the pitch with the physio department and the coaches to rebuild my fitness until I'm at a stage where I'm ready to play a full 90 minutes.”
Tickets are free for Season Ticket Holders for Monday’s clash – which kicks-off at 7pm – against Liverpool at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Tickets for non-Season Ticket Holders are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children and concessions.