Craig Bellamy is looking to reap the rewards of his international exertions with good form for West Ham United this weekend.
On World Cup duty with Wales, the striker played 80 minutes in the 2-0 home win against Azerbaijan last Saturday before following that up with a full run-out in Wednesday's unlucky 1-0 reverse in Germany. After three substitute appearances for West Ham United, the extended run-outs have given his fitness levels a considerable boost.
"For me confidence wise, this is brilliant," he said, with his focus switched to the Sunday trip to fellow high-fliers Hull City. "It is incredible for me personally to just come off after 90 minutes and I feel great hopefully ready to play Sunday. Maybe I need a bit more sharpness but it will come."
With manager Gianfranco Zola favouring a three-man forward line, Bellamy will have plenty of competition for a starting berth. David Di Michele, Matthew Etherington and Freddie Sears could all be in contention - along of course with in-form Carlton Cole who has four goals in eight appearances this campaign. New recruit Diego Tristan is not yet ready to figure.
Cole is ready to continue that run against Hull City but is well aware the newcomers are tough opponents. "We know they are a good outfit, but we just have to go there confident in trying to break them down and get as much out of the game as possible. They have got a good work ethic about them but we know we have to work hard and use our quality and get a good result."