Youssef Optimistic

Youssef Sofiane is hoping for an injury free season - and says that he is happy to play on the right if need be.

The home supporters finally got to see Youssef in action in the friendly against PSV after last season, in which he could reasonably have expected to play some part, was hampered by injuries," he says.

"I enjoyed it a lot and I was quite happy; I hope I will be trusted this year.

"I was injured last season but everything is all right now and I hope we are going to come up now.

"I was pleased to play in front of the West Ham fans; I prefer to play up front but I am 19 and I just need to play, whether on the right or the left.

"I have to practise every day on the training ground, I just want to play, and I can accept playing on the right. "I used to do that for Auxerre."

He is regarded as the fastest player at the club but claims he was before Trevor Sinclair moved on as well, and jokes:

"I think I was faster than Trevor but I am definitely number one now!"

Youssef is pleased that youth is being given its chance and adds:

"It is going to be good for the young players but obviously it is going to be hard this season."

Youssef, when he came on at half time, might perhaps have expected Sebastien Schemmel to be behind him at right back.

As it was, in the light of his criticism of the club - and not least because Glenn Roeder wanted to see how Anton Ferdinand would cope against the cream of Dutch football - he had a player even younger than him to partner on the right.

"He is good and he needs to practise in the training ground and play, play, play - he is going to be all right."

It may be a position Anton makes his own for the time being, though Glenn sees his ultimate career as a centre half.

Adds Youssef:

"Anton is a good player and I think Seb wants to leave but I can't talk about him.

"I am not happy with what Seb did at the training ground and with the manager because he doesn't have to talk like that, but I have nothing to say about this."

Youssef is optimistic about the future and adds:

"It is going to be okay; we need a good season because last season everyone was everywhere - this year is going to be a good season for everyone.

"But we have to work and play together.

"Since I have started with the team this season and being in Sweden I have been happy because I am not injured - I just want to play and I hope the injuries are behind me and I am going to have a good season."