Izzie: This Could Be My Year

Izzie Iriekpen says he hopes that this season will be the one in which he finally makes the breakthrough into the first team but admits the best is still to come.

Izzie, whose career looked as if it would come to a premature end last season after a serious knee problem, opened his goalscoring account for the reserve team against Tottenham on Tuesday night and says: "It's been a long while to wait for my first goal for the reserves!"

He certainly enjoyed the moment even if the eventual aim of playing for the first team has so far eluded him.

"I saw the ball come down, swivelled on it, and volleyed it home," says the centre half. "Then I saw the lads running after me so I just had to get away.

"Jermain Defoe said it was a good striker's goal so I am happy about that."

It is three years and nine months since Izzie came so close to a debut at Old Trafford - the final whistle robbed him of his chance after he had taken off his tracksuit top off and was waiting to come on.

Since then there has been heartbreak after heartbreak - but now, after signing a new one year contract this summer, he is determined to make the most of his second chance.

"I have been playing well in the reserves so I am just waiting for an opportunity - but I am not the manager so I don't know when that will come.

"I don't know what he is thinking but I hope I get a look-in soon. Maybe the he is sticking with experience at the moment because it is a tough position to play in.

"Hopefully we will get out of trouble - and we are good enough to - then perhaps the youngsters will get a chance."

Izzie would have been the youngest Hammer to play in the Premiership had he come on against Manchester United at the age of 16 - now, at 20, he is just hoping to pick up where he left off.

"I am finishing games now and feeling much better after a match so everything is fine at the moment," he says.

"I am not 100% fit and there is definitely more to come - but life is looking better than at this time last year."