Thierry Nevers is looking forward to kickstarting his West Ham United career, having returned from injury for the U23s prior to the October international break.
The exciting 19-year-old forward, a summer recruit from Reading, played the final half-an-hour of the 3-1 win over Everton a week-and-a-half ago, a result which took the development squad up to third in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table.
Prior to that, Nevers – managing his return from injury – had twice scored after coming off the bench, playing an hour of football on his first start against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League Cup last month before a three-week absence.
Speaking ahead of today’s Premier League Cup fixture against Exeter City, the versatile forward, who also hit three goals in pre-season, is looking forward to getting fully fit and firing in a West Ham shirt after those early setbacks.
“It was good getting back out there,” Nevers told whufc.com. “I was out for three weeks, but it was still positive. I was trying to get strong while I was out, and it was good to get the three points on my return against Everton.
“I’ve dealt with setbacks before, so I kind of know my way around them, but obviously I had a nice start at the Club with a couple of goals in pre-season. To get injured was a downer, but it’s about how you react to it.
“I’ve been working with a physio called Jake Mulley, who I’m sure won’t mind me praising him! He’s done fantastic work with me on and off the pitch, as well as [Head of Academy Science and Medicine] Tom Smith, to recognise the injury… it’s been everyone at the Club, really, recognising what needs to be done to get me back on the pitch.
“The lads played really well and obviously after not being on the pitch for a long time, the last performance when I was on the pitch was very different, so the win against Everton was a good, top, professional performance, guided by the coaches and executed well by the players.”
After suffering a 1-0 defeat against Wolves in this competition last month, Nevers and West Ham U23s will be looking to get their Premier League Cup challenge back on track when the Grecians arrive at Rush Green this afternoon.
They have plenty of games – five – in which to do so in Group F, with the top two teams out of West Ham, Wolves, Swansea City and Exeter qualifying for the knockout stages.
Nevers will therefore hope to play his part in firing the Hammers further towards the next round when the young Hammers and Exeter kick-off the behind-closed-doors fixture at 2pm on Wednesday 13 October.
“It felt refreshing to be back out there,” Nevers continued.
“I probably still need to sharpen up a bit, but that’s me being hard on myself, because I set my own standards quite high. It was good to be out there, enjoying it with the boys as we got the three points.
“Now, obviously, I want to come back onto the pitch and do my part on and off the ball, score goals and keep my place in the team.
“It feels good to be back and at the level. I’m not at a hundred per cent yet – but I’ve got time.”
West Ham United U23s’ match against Exeter City U23s will be played behind-closed-doors at Rush Green Stadium on Wednesday 13 October, kicking off at 2pm. Only key personnel and invited guests will be admitted.
You can still follow proceedings, however, with our live blog on whufc.com from 1.30pm and Twitter updates, and there will be post-match reaction and highlights pieces available over Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
