James Tomkins is remaining hopeful of a return to first team action before the end of the season as he nears the end of his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.
The 26-year-old defender has been absent since early March since suffering the injury, which curtailed a fine run of form which had made him a fixture in the side over the winter months.
Now, with just two games to go, Tomkins has twin aims – returning to play some part at Newcastle on the final day if at all possible, and seeing the Hammers finish in the top half of the table.
Fans will desperate to see you back on the pitch and you’ve tweeted a few pictures of your rehab. Your shoulder’s looking strong so how’s it going?
JT: “It’s going well. I’m out on the pitch now, running and stepping up the training. I like being out there with a ball at my feet, so I’ve been doing some light training in the run up to the Everton game, and hopefully I’ll be in full training ahead of Newcastle. That’s the plan, and I’m staying positive that I can be fit before the end of the season.”
With two games to go we’re all hoping to finish in the top half. We could finish with over 50 points, so everyone would have taken that if it had been offered last August, surely?
JT: “I think so. It’s hard because when you start so well and are fourth in the table the expectations are going to be higher, which comes with the territory of doing so well. We did that, but have had a disappointing time since January. The results haven’t been as good and have slipped down the table. Hopefully we finish off well and end in the top half of the table.”
What’s been your highlight?
JT: “There have been a couple of great days at Upton Park. Liverpool was one of the stand-outs and Everton was massive drama. Those two for me.”
It’s a sign of what a great season it’s been that so many names were in the frame for Hammer of the Year, including yours. Who would you have given it to?
JT: “I think it went to the right person in Aaron Cresswell. He’s played every game this year and been really consistent. Adrian, Sakho and Kouyate were probably the other names in the hat, but I think Cress nicks it for me because he’s been really good on a consistent basis. His free-kick against Stoke sealed it up for me.”
You play closer to him on the pitch than anyone at centre half, so what is it? He’s stepped up from the Championship and taken to it like a duck to water.
JT: “I know and it’s brilliant because you don’t see too many players step up and do so well in the Premier League. He’s done that and grown in every game. He’s maturing as a player so it’s great for him. He’s slotted in there and it’s brilliant to play alongside him.”
You’ve taken the plunge and joined Twitter. Nobes did recently too, you’ve had plenty of positive feedback so far…
JT: “It’s all good. Not playing so much with the injury, I can put a bit of time into other interests and going on Twitter means I can give a bit back to the fans, which they always like to see. I’ve taken the plunge and I’m enjoying it at the minute.”