Flynn Downes was delighted to be back in action as West Ham United returned to the pitch ahead of the resumption of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The midfielder was in the starting XI as David Moyes' men overcame Cambridge United 4-2 on Tuesday evening in their first outing since 12 November.
With the FIFA World Cup break coming to a conclusion, the Irons will face Italian Serie A side Udinese and Premier League rivals Fulham in two away mid-season friendlies on Saturdays 10 and 17 December respectively.
As someone who always plays with joy and passion for the game, Downes was happy to get some minutes under his belt at the Abbey Stadium in Cambridge defender Greg Taylor’s Testimonial match.
“We have been hard at work in the last week," Downes stated, on the Hammers’ return to Rush Green Training Ground last Thursday. "But is good to play a game, get a few minutes and also the win."
Away from east London, Downes’ teammates Lucas Paquetá, Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd and Declan Rice have all reached the last eight of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
And while away from the training pitch, the boyhood Hammer has watched his teammates in action.
The No12 has been impressed by their showings on the international stage, and is hoping their confident displays in the Middle East will translate to winning performances in east London when they return to Claret and Blue duty after Christmas.
“The boys who have gone away [to the World Cup] are playing very well,” Downes explained. “They can take a lot of confidence from that. They are all important players [for their countries]. When they come back, they will bring a good buzz.”
Daws & Downes 😁 pic.twitter.com/dFpn8iW7S5
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 5, 2022
In particular, Downes praised fellow countryman and midfielder Rice. The Hammers’ skipper has been a mainstay of England’s run to the quarter-finals, with Gareth Southgate’s side recording their country’s best-ever goal return at a World Cup and keeping three clean sheets in their first four fixtures.
"The whole [England] team has done very well," Downes stated. "With Dec, it is the same old [performances from him].
"It’s everything about him. It's his attributes and the way reads the game. He plays naturally. He’s big, strong, and on the ball he is very good. He is one of the best in the world in that position."
England will take on France in the quarter-finals on Saturday and Downes says it will be good to see his fellow Hammer go toe-to-toe with a star-studded French team.
"It will be good to see Dec tested," Downes smiled. "It is a testament to all the work he puts in. It is paying off for him."
West Ham's mid-season match at Udinese will be streamed live on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off from the Dacia Arena at 2pm GMT.
