Danny Gabbidon is looking forward to his first experience
of playing against Premiership champions Chelsea on
Sunday.
The Hammers defender was sidelined with a knee injury when Jose Mourinho's team visited Upton Park in our opening match of 2006 and, after making the step up from the Championship to the top flight last summer, admits he can't wait to finally rub shoulders with English football's elite.
"It's going to be a tough game, there's no doubt about that," says Danny. "Chelsea are flying high at the top of the league, have got world class players and are unbeaten at home in the Premiership.
"It was a shame to miss the home game against them in January, because these are the sort of games you want to play in, so I'm really looking forward to playing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"It will be good to test myself against the likes of Drogba and Crespo, or whichever superstars will play for them on Sunday!"
The 26-year-old is likely to continue alongside his Welsh international colleague James Collins in the centre of defence against the Blues. Following injury to Anton Ferdinand, the former Cardiff City duo were reunited for our FA Cup quarter-final victory at Manchester City and, in the four matches they have played together, Hammers have kept two clean sheets and conceded just two goals.
"We've played a few games together now, and James has been in good form, so hopefully that will continue," says Danny.
"Having played with him at Cardiff and for Wales, I know what he is capable of, and after biding his time this season, he is now taking his chance.
"It's tough on Anton, who would obviously prefer to be playing in the middle, but he did a good job at right-back against Charlton and we kept a clean sheet, so there will be no complaints if we carry on in that way."
The Hammers defender was sidelined with a knee injury when Jose Mourinho's team visited Upton Park in our opening match of 2006 and, after making the step up from the Championship to the top flight last summer, admits he can't wait to finally rub shoulders with English football's elite.
"It's going to be a tough game, there's no doubt about that," says Danny. "Chelsea are flying high at the top of the league, have got world class players and are unbeaten at home in the Premiership.
"It was a shame to miss the home game against them in January, because these are the sort of games you want to play in, so I'm really looking forward to playing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"It will be good to test myself against the likes of Drogba and Crespo, or whichever superstars will play for them on Sunday!"
The 26-year-old is likely to continue alongside his Welsh international colleague James Collins in the centre of defence against the Blues. Following injury to Anton Ferdinand, the former Cardiff City duo were reunited for our FA Cup quarter-final victory at Manchester City and, in the four matches they have played together, Hammers have kept two clean sheets and conceded just two goals.
"We've played a few games together now, and James has been in good form, so hopefully that will continue," says Danny.
"Having played with him at Cardiff and for Wales, I know what he is capable of, and after biding his time this season, he is now taking his chance.
"It's tough on Anton, who would obviously prefer to be playing in the middle, but he did a good job at right-back against Charlton and we kept a clean sheet, so there will be no complaints if we carry on in that way."