Upson eyes swift comeback
05 Feb 2007 - 08:08:15
Injured West Ham defender Matthew Upson remains confident of a swift return to action after limping off 30 minutes into his debut in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
Upson completed a £6million move to the Premiership strugglers last week but suffered a nightmare debut after picking up a calf injury at Villa Park.
But the England international remains hopeful the problem won't keep him sidelined for an extended period as the Hammers battle to beat relegation.
"I just hope my calf injury is not too bad. I leapt high and just landed off balance and put too much stress through my right calf," said Upson.
"There is no major problem, just a tightness of the muscle. We will see how it is after the weekend and hopefully the results of the scan will show it's not a big issue and it will settle down.
"When I was sitting on the ground at Villa Park my emotion was just disappointment because I'm desperate to play and desperate to keep this club in the Premiership.
"That's what I've been brought here to do and I feel an obligation to want to do that.
"It was just one of those things. There is nothing I can do about it other than think positively and get back as quick as I can."
Meanwhile, Upson has denied rumours of a rift with former manager Steve Bruce, who has criticised the Birmingham City board for allowing the defender to leave on transfer deadline day.
"My relationship with Steve Bruce is fine. I've spoken to him," he confirmed.
"We thanked each other for the last four years at Birmingham and we both move on.
"There is no animosity there. I know his gripe is with the board and that's what he told me."