On the face of his earlier comments there were few in the Hammers squad more concerned with playing again than Aaron Cresswell.
He famously admitted that with a new baby in the house he was “terrified” at the prospect of plying his trade again under Project Restart.
Manu Lanzini was another who seemingly wasn’t keen until a vaccine had been developed but it was Cress who was the most outspoken and for a time his involvement was in doubt when the game finally got the behind closed doors thumbs up.
Now having been involved in the first two practice games after shaking off an injury and returning to training he is ready to play his part as the squad prepares for next Saturday’s kick off.
And with Arthur Masuaku apparently picking up a small injury it’s odds on that Cress will be involved.
He has been speaking about the situation at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/june/14-june/aaron-cresswell-were-fully-prepared-premier-league-restart and said: “It’s been a tough, tough few months, not know when we would be starting back up, whether we’d be playing or not playing, the venues, everything, but to be fair to the lads and the coaching staff and the fitness lads, they’ve been really on it.
“It’s been tough for us as, when the lockdown was on, we only had one hour a day to exercise outside and we weren’t allowed to the training ground at that point, but now we’re raring to go and we’re ready.
“The gaffer and the fitness coaches have really made sure that they haven’t left anything behind and they’re making sure we’re ready to go come the first game next Saturday, so from that point of view we’re fully prepared and ready to go.
“It’s going to be tough with nine games in six weeks, but everyone is in that boat and we’ve got to be looking to make sure we’re ready for Wolves next Saturday.”
For Cresswell, lockdown was made even more complicated by the arrival of his and wife Jess’s second child just a few weeks before the restrictions were put in place in March.
“It was kind of a crazy time because my little girl Sadie was born at the end of February,” he continued. “Everything just unfolded and the way it all happened was crazy, but thankfully we’re all fit and healthy.
“Keeping her and our son Sonny entertained over the last three months has been tough and challenging but it’s been good to have he time at home to be around them.
“Usually, where we’re playing, I’m away Friday and Saturday and I won’t see them until Sunday, so it’s been nice to spend time with them as well.”
Can well understand cresswell and Manu wouldn’t want to start again either until vaccine is in use. Probably unfortunately cresswell has along with masu at left back has cost us the most points lost with his defending or rather lack of it over the last two seasons with goals coming from that left side of ours. We have needed a top left back now for two seasons at least and now more than ever right back too having only fred who should be moved on too and the excellent Ben who can play both sides and now should be a regular if Jeremy leaves. As for masu never understand why any manager would play him at full back and his now imo surplus too our squad and would be better sold also.