Arthur Masuaku says he is ready to fight for a spot in West Ham’s starting line-up as Aaron Cresswell struggles for form.
The left back hasn’t featured for the Hammers since their 1-5 home decimation by Arsenal in December due to a knee ligament injury.
But the French defender has now made a full recovery and is back training with the first-team squad.
The 23-year-old is now hoping to put himself in contention for the next game against Watford and wants to repay the faith that Slaven Bilic has shown in him. He told the official website:
“I am much better in my head now because you come back a lot stronger mentally. You want to be stronger than what you were before and I feel that way.
“I feel fit now and I want to help the team in the future.
“I want to come back stronger and to play in more games. This is the first time since I played football that I have been out for almost four or five months. I just want to play football and do the best I can.”
“For me it is not about competition. Aaron is a very good player and we are just here to play our football and help the team.
“I want us to play the best that we can play and I don’t see Aaron as a rival. He is my team-mate and we are all here to help each other.”
Worries over Aaron Cresswell’s form have arisen after a number of disappointing performances, not least a calamitous display at home to Manchester City which saw him gift Guardiola’s side their first goal.
Cresswell was taken off at half time during West Ham’s recent 2-2 draw at home against West Brom, and worryingly for the Liverpudlian, the Hammers looked better without him.
