HAMMERS defender Clive Clarke is delighted to be back to full
fitness after seeing his early career at the Club blighted by
injury.
The 25-year-old has spent a few frustrating months at Upton Park
unable to make the first-team start he wanted due to an ankle
injury.
But Clive is now back in full training and after a series of
Reserve games, including an impressive display in the 1-1 draw with
Chelsea earlier this week, he is now pushing for a place in Alan
Pardew's plans.
He said: "I suppose I've just been a bit unlucky to have had this injury flare up as soon as I arrived. But I've been looked after realy well by the staff here and have just been working away at getting back to full fitness. For me at the moment, it's all about getting fit again, getting as many Reserve matches under my belt and then going from there."
Clive, who signed from Stoke City for £250,000 in August is determined to get his match sharpness up to speed as he waits for the call from Pards.
He added: "The lads are doing fantastically well at the moment so it's going to be very hard to get in the first-team. But I just have to keep working hard and hopefully get my fitness up, and if given a chance, try and take it and do the best I can".
While Clive acknowledges that competition for places is fierce at Upton Park, he is in no doubt that the move to West Ham United was the right one.
"I decided to come to West Ham because I felt it was the best opportunity for me," he explained. "It's such a good club, a big club and I wanted to be part of something like this.
"It's a fantastic chance for me to come here and progress my career. I know there will be competition for places, but that's how it should be at a Premiership club.
"The way they play football here was another factor of why I wanted to join.
"You are always encouraged to play the right way. I played at Upton Park when I was at Stoke and was impressed then. The good atmosphere and the support at games was also something I noticed. And although I haven't played for the first-team in front of the fans yet, I've seen how fantastic their backing has been this season."
"Everyone has been really good to me. I suppose it was a bit difficult being injured after I first arrived because I spent more time in the treatment room than out on the training pitch! I know that place quite well. But it's better now because I can get out there and train with the rest of the lads.
"Now as I said, I have to try and break into the first-team if
I can and with the lads doing really well it's going to be a
hard job. But I want to play and it's just a case of biding my
time and then ensuring I make the most of my chance when it comes
along."