Defender returns to training

Forgotten man Winston Reid returned to first-team training this week as he attempts to gain match fitness, however, with no-preseason the New Zealander is pretty much starting from scratch and faces a long road of up to three months to re-gain that match sharpness.

The long-serving defender suffered a knee injury against Swansea last season and underwent knee surgery last July followed by a long rehab programme in which he was required to wear a knee brace.

Reid signed a new long-term contract with the Club last year which will potentially keep him in Claret and Blue until summer 2023, meaning he could potentially spend 13 years in east London.

The New Zealand international became a true Hammers hero since joining the Club in 2010, being voted Hammer of the Year in 2013 and has made 222 appearances for West Ham in all competitions. The Irons paid FC Midtjylland a transfer fee package totalling £3.78m