Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen have relished having extra numbers to work with on the Chadwell Heath practice pitches after the international break.
The coaching trio had already been putting the likes of Danny Gabbidon, Jack Collison, Radoslav Kovac, Valon Behrami and Guille Franco through their paces in a bid to build up fitness before the club's England contingent returned for two days of intensive training. There has also been the sight of new-looks for Luis Jimenez and Alessandro Diamanti although the focus has been firmly on football.
GIANFRANCO ZOLA PRESS CONFERENCE
TO COME ON WHUTV
It remains to be seen who will be part of the travelling party for Stoke City on Friday but it seems there will be a few selection decisions to make as the Hammers look to make it seven trips to Stoke unbeaten - a run dating back to October 1983. One man who cannot play a part this time around is Scott Parker because of a one-match ban triggered by a fifth yellow card of the season last time against Fulham.
A welcome sight at Chadwell Heath has been Calum Davenport, who has returned to the club after a lengthy lay-off caused by stab wounds suffered in an incident back in August. It is still very early days for the defender but he has been given a light programme to build up his strength. Luis Boa Morte (knee), due back in England next week, and Dean Ashton (ankle) are the other long-term absentees.
