Hines eager to shine

West Ham United striker Zavon Hines is fit and ready to show manager Gianfranco Zola exactly what he can do.

The young forward, who plundered six goals in pre-season and opened his senior account in the 4-1 Carling Cup second round win over Macclesfield Town in August, returned to action in the reserves this week after four months out with a knee injury. After looking sharp in the 2-0 Barclays Premier Reserve League South defeat by Fulham on Tuesday evening, the 20-year-old is eager to make up for lost time.

Having seen fellow Academy graduates Freddie Sears and Jack Collison force their way into the manager's thoughts this season, Hines wants to follow in their footsteps and make his name on the Premier League stage.

"Seeing Freddie and Jack out there playing and scoring [has inspired me]. I want to be at West Ham for as long as I can and the only way I can do that is by playing and scoring and trying to catch the manager's eye. Now I've got to show what I've got."