Henri wants Royals appointment

Henri Lansbury is targeting a return to first-team duty in Saturday's npower Championship fixture at Reading after making a successful comeback for the development squad.

The England Under-21 midfielder completed 60 minutes in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Brentford at the Boleyn Ground and feels ready to join Sam Allardyce's squad for the weekend trip to face the Royals at the Madejski Stadium.

The on-loan Arsenal player was his typically lively self and will have no doubt have impressed Big Sam, who was watching on with his coaching staff from high in the Alpari Stand.

"I feel fine. I had no problems so I'm hopeful of getting back in the squad and getting ready for Saturday," the No22 told West Ham TV.

"I did it in the first few minutes at Southampton but didn't realise so I just carried on. Getting back out playing is good and a good few weeks of running have helped.

"The medical staff have been great with me and helped me to get back so I'm grateful to them. It's always good to see the team doing well and it's good to fight for positions. We've got a great team spirit at the moment and just need to keep it going.

"I'll train on Thursday and Friday and see how it goes. If the gaffer picks me, I could be back in the squad."

Lansbury has quickly settled in at West Ham, making many friends with his ever-present smile and infectious personality. The Potters Bar-born player hopes that his approach will continue to rub off on his team-mates and produce positive results on the pitch.

"They're a great bunch of lads and the team spirit is unbelievable and everyone gets on with everyone. We've just got to keep it going until the end of the season."