Academy’s ‘next big thing’ on his way back

Nathan Holland – heralded privately as the ‘next big thing’ out of the Hammers academy – returned to full training with the under 23s at Chadwell Heath today.

Holland has been off for several weeks with an ankle problem and needs a full week’s training before he will be ready to get into competitive action again.

Tomorrow night’s Checkatrade match against Yeovil will come to early for the winger but he is expected to be back in action for the match against Zagreb next week.

Holland was on the fringes of the first team last season but an injury ruled him out from playing a part.

Now, however,he is looking to make a serious impact with the under 23s and return to training at Rush Green next Monday where next week he is very much under the eye of manager Manuel Pellegrini.

A source close to the under 23 team explained to CandH: “He’s in good nick and recovered from the injury – he needs a week’s training and will hopefully be available for the Zagreb match.”