Alan Curbishley has told WHUTV he was delighted to see Scott Parker and Dean Ashton get a full 90 minutes under their belt in Monday night's reserve victory.
The West Ham United manager travelled with Kevin Keen's side to the 8-0 win at Derby County in order to get a first-hand view of the duo's progress, along with assessing the likes of John Pantsil and Nigel Quashie. Also involved were Christian Dailly and Hogan Ephraim - who are back at the club after loan spells at Southampton and Queen's Park Rangers respectively.
On Parker and Ashton, Curbishley said: "It was a long journey for them. Sometimes you wonder about the reserve league but it was a game we needed for them. Both of them got 90 minutes, both of them are looking a lot better and it will be in the bank. They are nearer full fitness." Check out WHUTV to hear more from the manager on:
WHUTV will have more from the manager later this week, including an update on the likes of Lee Bowyer, Anton Ferdinand and Julien Faubert while he will also be looking forward to the trip to Chelsea on Saturday. WHUTV is the place to be every day for all the news and views from behind the scenes at Chadwell Heath and the Boleyn Ground. For details of a special membership offer, click here.