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Ian Pearce will make his long awaited first team comeback on Saturday against Middlesbrough.
It has been a long road back for Ian, but his latest knee operation appears to have cured him and Glenn Roeder cannot wait to see him back to his old self.
He says:
"We are all looking forward to Ian Pearce being involved again; I feel in many ways we are being a little bit unfair to him asking him to be available after 70 minutes of reserve team football, but he has been training for a good month and we have had a number of practice matches at Chadwell Heath in that time.
"But he has only had those 70 minutes against the Arsenal the week before and in reality it is very hard for us to expect him to be up to speed; but he is prepared and wants to be involved.
"Ian deserves a change in fortunes for the better because it is horrible when you are a professional footballer and out week after week seeing everyone else play when you can't.
"It is soul destroying, but he has stuck at it and deserves to be fit now for the remaining 12 games of the season, go away and have a nice summer break then a full preseason."
With Sebastien Schemmel injured, Don Hutchison doubtful, and Trevor Sinclair suspended, the door could be open to Ian to even make a start in a right sided defensive role.
"He is certainly that 6'3" defender that all sides are looking for and want in their squad, and he can play central defender, wing back, or full back," says Glenn.
"What people must realise is that in my own mind I expected Ian Pearce to be a major player for us this year; he was very much in my plans and still is, so fingers crossed for him on Saturday, because he will play some part in the game.
"Hopefully he can pick up the threads of what has been a very good career at West Ham; he is one of those players that the fans enjoy seeing play.
"All Ian needs is to stay fit and if he can stay physically fit we will get him to the levels he needs in the next few weeks.
"He mustn't expect miracles of himself but I am sure come Saturday the adrenaline will be flowing through his body and whatever he has to do he will do as well as he can, and he will be so happy just to be out there on that pitch."