West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Upson back in fine fettle

30 Jul 2007 - 17:02:15

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West Ham United centre-half Matthew Upson is desperate to impress at Upton Park, having seen injury ruin his first few months with the Hammers.

The 28-year-old England international made just two appearances last season after sealing a £6million switch from Birmingham City in January, but is now hopeful of having recovered fully from a calf injury.

He told The Daily Mail: "It was very frustrating, of course, but I think I've learned more about my body in the last few months than during my whole career.

"I've been training with athletes and coaches and other specialists who made me aware that I should make massive improvements to the way I run and the way I set myself. It has been a real eye-opener.

"The calf was a problem with a long, vertical tear in the sheaf of the muscle and it happened because I was unknowingly loading too much weight on that side to compensate against previous injuries.

"But having finally got over that, I'm feeling as good as I've ever felt, got back a belief in my fitness and can't wait to get into the matches.

"Hopefully it is all in the past now. I haven't missed one training session in pre-season and I just want to get out there."