West Ham’s hugely promising under 23 Dan Kemp returns from an eleven month injury lay-off against Swansea on Sunday declaring: ““All the staff and players at the Academy have been fantastic with me and helped me in every way. I can’t thank them enough.
Winger Kemp ruptured his cruciate ligament last year and has not played a competitive match since last November.
But he is set to team up with the U23s for his first matchday squad of the 2018/19 season when the Hammers host Swansea City.
The Premier League 2 clash goes ahead on Sunday afternoon at Dagenham and Redbridge’s Chigwell Construction Stadium and Kemp is likely to be involved.
He said: “It’s great to be back doing what I love doing most – playing football,” he said.
“In particular, I need to say a big thanks to the people I worked most with such as Tom Smith [Academy Head of Medical and Sports Science] and Matt Bramhall [Academy Head of Athletic Development]. Both were amazing with me and pivotal to me returning in such good physical condition.
“Liam Manning has also been a massive help, assisting me with target setting and focusing on still improving whilst not playing.
“Terry Westley [Academy Director] and Adam Raimes’ [Head of Academy Operations] support has been amazing also constantly checking on my progress and encouraging me throughout. I must also thank James Gritt [Academy Sports Scientist] who taxied me in for up to six weeks at the start when I couldn’t drive as I was on crutches!”