Mark Noble cannot wait for the new Barclays Premier League campaign to begin after a hectic but rewarding pre-season campaign.
West Ham United travel to newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday for the first fixture of the 2009/10 season in a positive frame of mind after what the midfielder called a "good test" in the 1-0 defeat by SSC Napoli at the weekend.
"We are looking forward to it all starting now, looking forward to playing Wolves," he said. "We have worked hard in pre-season and it was a good test out there for us against Napoli and we're ready now for the kick-off.
"Training is good. We have a good bunch of lads here, the quality is good and I know the manager is trying to add to the team where he can, so we are all very positive."
While more additions to the West Ham squad are on their way, the first big arrival this summer is already settling in well. Luis Jimenez has added extra quality in the attacking third and Noble is full of praise for his new team-mate
"I am enjoying playing with him," he said "He is a really good player, very clever and where we like to play football, do little passes and exchanges, he is really good on the ball with all of that. I think you will see really good things from him this season."
While Noble is firmly concentrating on all things West Ham, he knows another good season under his belt at the Boleyn Ground could further his ambitions for the England senior team. He signed off last season by helping England to the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final.
"Of course the World Cup next year is in my thoughts, as I have come out of the Under-21s now and so I want to impress further and push on to the seniors if I can. I know I need to keep working hard and doing my best for West Ham to do that, so that is what I will be looking to do.
"Our target here is to build on last season, look to achieve a bit higher. Hopefully Europe will be in our sights. We're happy and looking forward to it all starting now."