Julien Faubert has spoken of his satisfaction at finally linking up with his team-mates at Chadwell Heath after his long-term lay-off.
The France winger has been missing since suffering an achilles injury on the pre-season tour of Austria soon after signing from Bordeaux. However, he has come through his specialist rehabilitation in the south of France to resume running at the training ground.
Speaking to the matchday programme for the Everton cup tie, Faubert said: "It's great to be back with my team-mates. It was important to recover in the right environment and it was a shame to pick up the injury so soon into my West Ham career. I am now focusing on getting back to full fitness."
The 24-year-old's progress has naturally delighted manager Alan Curbishley, who said: "It's great to see him out there running. Hopefully if he continues the way he has done in the last week he will be a couple of weeks away from joining in with us which is a big boost."