Anton Ferdinand is eager to make his long-awaited comeback against Manchester United on Saturday having already felt the "buzz" of the Boleyn Ground this week.
While the Boxing Day draw against Reading may not have set too many pulses racing following the euphoria of a last-gasp win at Middlesbrough, Ferdinand was delighted to be involved again in the matchday 16. Even though he did not get called upon from the bench, his positivity stems from just being in the frame after a frustrating muscle injury. "The hamstring is better. I am feeling good and back in contention," he said.
"It is just great to be back involved with the boys, back involved at Upton Park and getting back out there on the pitch with the fans. Even if it was just for the warm-up against Reading, the buzz feels good." As a homegrown talent, Ferdinand is well aware of what the club means to so many and he took great pleasure in acknowledging the home support on Wednesday.
"I felt good. I got a good reception. To get a little clap from the fans brings a bit of life back into you. I think this is the longest I have ever been out, seven or eight weeks. I am just glad to be back in training and back involved with the team."
Ferdinand began the season as first-choice in central defence alongside Matthew Upson, having won many plaudits for helping the Hammers survive the previous campaign and then being key to England reaching the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals. However, all that progress was halted when injured towards the end of September and he has been absent since limping out of the Carling Cup win at Coventry City on 30 October.
Fit again after working hard with the club's medical staff, there would be no better game to make his comeback than the visit of Manchester United, with his brother Rio along with former team-mates Michael Carrick and Carlos Tevez also heading to east London this weekend. In particular, Argentina superstar Tevez is sure to get a warm welcome and Ferdinand would relish taking on his old mate.
"You love playing against great players and he is definitely one that you put in that category. If I do play, I would be looking forward to playing well against him," he said. That said, do not be fooled into thinking that Ferdinand would let the pleasantries linger, should he be in action from the off.
"Saturday is going to be a special occasion but it is about us and not about them or it being a special day. It is about us and we need to try and do what we did to them last year." That fixture a year ago was Alan Curbishley's first in charge and not many gave the Hammers much hope. With Tevez an unused substitute, the home rearguard - marshalled by Ferdinand and James Collins - soaked up the pressure before Nigel Reo-Coker slotted in the only goal.
There have been changes since that memorable match, but Ferdinand says the togetherness in the camp is a constant - even with many of the first-team squad havng had to cope with injuries. "The banter and the spirit at this club is very good," he said. "It never changes and it never will." Proof of that comes with Ferdinand accepting that Upson and Jonathan Spector - the two men in possession at centre-back - are both in fine form.
"Spector and Matty played very well [against Reading]. They didn't have a lot to do but when they did it, they did it well. All I can do is sit tight and wait for my opportunity. Hopefully when I get that opportunity I will take it with both hands. I would love to be involved against Manchester United. All I can do is keep doing well in training."
This time of year is a special for fans with the games coming thick and fast, but you will not hear Ferdinand moaning about the players having to spend a lot of time away from loved ones. "That is part of being a footballer and it happens throughout the English league. We can't complain." Ferdinand also will not be complaining if he has to sit it out again this weekend but, should the call come against the champions, he will be ready and willing to pull on the claret and blue with pride again.