Birthday boy Pedro Obiang says he is willing to wait for the perfect present – West Ham United securing their Premier League safety.
The Spanish midfielder, who is currently working his way back from a knee injury suffered at Wigan Athletic in January, was inundated with messages from the Claret and Blue Army as he celebrated turning 26 on Tuesday.
Obiang thanked the fans for their support before issuing an update on his rehabilitation.
I would ask the supporters to be focused on the most important thing and that is to try to be safe as quickly as possible
Pedro Obiang
“I’m happy to say that many supporters messaged me and wished me a happy birthday and remembered me, so that’s good!" he said. “I have had so many messages that I didn’t open Instagram yet, but I will do at the end of the day to thank the fans for those messages.
“Obviously while I am happy for these messages, I would be happier if I was training and playing with the team. It’s difficult to be out and watching the games, with the situation we are in.
“I am not far away and I am working hard, but I am waiting for the right time to come back. I want to help the team, but the best way to help the team is to wait until I am in the right condition to do so, because if I am not in the best situation, I probably cannot help the team.
“I would prefer to be fit and to come back and bring my energy. I am totally focused on coming back and I feel good, but I still need two or three steps before I am ready to come back.”
Obiang admits he is a frustrated spectator, but the No14 has made sure to retain a positive outlook at the Hammers’ Rush Green training ground.
That uplifting approach was never more apparent than on his birthday, when the Madrilenian brought two birthday cakes to the canteen for his teammates and the backroom staff to enjoy.
And while he is convinced his colleagues have the character to stay up, he has urged the same fans who sent him their best wishes to get behind the team in their remaining eight Premier League matches.
“We have the experience and the spirit to be OK, but I know that everything around has become difficult. I know the supporters are a little but angry, but I can understand this because I lived in a similar situation at my former club Sampdoria (who were relegated in 2011).
“I would ask the supporters to be focused on the most important thing and that is to try to be safe as quickly as possible and help the team as much as they can.
“At the same time, I’d ask the guys to give everything they have. At the moment, they are trying to do everything. I can see how hard they are working at Rush Green every day.”