Kieron Dyer has expressed his delight at getting through more action in the past couple of weeks and is slowly and surely looking to step it up between now and the end of the season.
The 30-year-old England midfielder came on as a late second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw against Blackburn on 21 March and followed that up with an hour in a friendly game against Chelsea last week. "It's been good for me," he said. "The friendly game against Chelsea in particular was very pleasing, because I played 60 minutes and didn't feel any effects afterwards. I had no aches or pains at all, which was a great sign for me.
"Before, after games, I would be throwing ice on my shins because they would be throbbing, but now for the first time, that didn't happen and it feels good. When I came back earlier in the year, [against Barnsley in the FA Cup third round and then in a reserve game against Fulham] I could hardly move for the next couple of days, but I didn't get that this time around.
"I feel so much better now. In the Chelsea game I did a lot of running and it's the fittest I have felt for a long time, but I thought I might have to get a crane to lift me out of bed the next day! But, when I woke up, it was all good and it showed my legs are, finally after what has been a very long lay-off, getting used to the workload again."
As well as working hard on his rehabilitation schedule and then throwing himself back into full training, Dyer has also been putting in the additional hours in his determination to get back in action. "Lately I have been doing some extra work with Steve Clarke after training, getting my legs accustomed again to that workload that is needed in football and it seems to be doing the job."
Supporters up at Ewood Park were delighted to see Dyer take the game to Blackburn when he came on and he is hoping that he can get more chances to impress between now and the end of the season. "It is nice to hear that, for me it has been frustrating because they haven't been able to see me play much, if at all. They have certainly not seen me at my best yet.
"These things happen in football and I honestly believe I can bring some more pace to the side. If I can get a few more run-outs before the end of this season, then next season will hopefully be the one where everyone will see the real me."
While he only had a few minutes against Blackburn, Dyer showed a little of just what West Ham fans have missed and was involved pretty much straight away.
"I am nowhere near match fit yet, I haven't played 90 minutes in nearly two years but I spoke with the manager and said I would like to be on the bench [against Blackburn] and if am needed, I am here, put me on and see what I can get through. That was the case and it worked, I should have got a penalty as well when I came on, so it could have worked out even better."
As well as getting back on the pitch, Dyer has been making sure he is back among the banter that echoes around the training ground. He confessed he is not good at watching games. "That is part and parcel of football," he said. "One of the worst things, apart from missing games, is not being with the rest of the team everyday and training, so you miss all the banter.
"So it is good to be out there and amongst that again with the lads - being one of the jokers in the pack, which I like to be. It has been frustrating so a lot of the time, I kept my distance. I'm not good at watching games because I just want to be out there. The rest of the lads have helped, they are a good lot and on the pitch I think it is testament to their spirit and how good they all are as to where we are in the league. I think we have had a great season and done really well.
"Hopefully I can get a few more minutes on the pitch maybe this weekend against Sunderland and then matches here and there, perhaps doing a full 90 minutes in the last couple of games. That would really gear me up and then if I can get a good pre-season under my belt and, touch wood - I think I am due some luck - have a good run in the team next season."