Picture special: Kovac trains

There is a fresh face on the Chadwell Heath training pitches this week with Radoslav Kovac settling into life at West Ham United.

The new No14 took part in a lively session that underlined the mood in the camp after eight games unbeaten and the prospect of the champions Manchester United to come on Sunday. In freezing conditions and with snow covering much of the ground, the squad worked hard under the watchful eye of fitness coach Antonio Pintus, before tactical training with Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen.

Having just left Spartak Moscow, where he was captain, Kovac was well used to the chilly conditions. Among those also joining the regular first-teamers were Academy graduates Bondz 'Gala, Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines, all eager to follow the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Collison, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears in catching the manager's eye.

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