Issa Diop was not fazed by his late inclusion in the starting XI for at Leicester City, going on to produce a fine performance as his team secured a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was initially named on the bench for the King Power Stadium clash, but had to step into the side after Kurt Zouma was forced to withdraw during the warm-up due to illness.
Diop wasted no time in getting up to speed, providing the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s tenth minute opener and giving a solid display alongside Craig Dawson at centre-back.
The nature of his call-up provided no drama for Diop, who pointed to the thoroughness of the team’s preparation for helping to make that seamless step.
“As a professional you have to be ready for everything,” he said. “This is what I’m training to do every day so the manager told me that Kurt was unwell and I played – that’s it. I hope Kurt is feeling better soon, as it's not something big.
“We started the game well and played a good first half. Then in the second half they changed some things and we struggled a bit for half-an-hour.
“Then, we finished the game better and I think it’s a fair result.”
Diop was pleased for central defensive partner Craig Dawson, too, as the No15 went up front in the final minutes and headed West Ham level from Jarrod Bowen's corner in added-time.
“It's very good for him and for the team because we got back level and we got a point, so that's a good thing,” he observed.
The Hammers remain fourth in the Premier League table following the conclusion of the weekend’s programme and Diop says the positive result was a good reward, especially as the team are searching for their best form right now.
“I'm happy with the game but not with everything, because we didn't win,” he said. “Leicester are a very good team, they have a very good manager and very good players and it’s always tough to come here [to King Power Stadium] and get points. So it’s not the worst result for us.
“We’re not in our best form, so it’s good when you struggle a bit to still get some points. It’s a very important point because they all count.
“This is what we train all week for. At the moment [we’re not playing as well] as we can, but hopefully in the coming weeks it's going to work.”
For Diop, the opportunity show how his undoubted ability again was welcome, particularly after he endured a difficult afternoon in the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie at Kidderminster Harriers just a week previously.
The former Toulouse man has started 19 times in all competitions this season, and West Ham have ultimately won 12 of those matches, showing his value to the squad.
Among those, the No23 helped the Hammers win four UEFA Europa League group-stage matches and will hope to feature in the competition again when the round of 16 comes around in March.
He concluded: "When you have the chance to play, you have to give everything and that's it.”