Obiang set to make Hammers return in time for pre-season

West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang insists he is well on track to be fit in time for the start of pre-season training next month.

The Spaniard suffered a leg injury in the Hammers’ 3-2 defeat to Leicester City in March, undergoing surgery that saw him ruled out of the remainder of the season.

Rehab has gone to plan, though, and confidence is high the 25-year-old can rejoin his teammates back on the pitch when they begin their preparations for the new campaign in July.

“I’m coming back to Rush Green to continue my fitness work in a few days because I have to work for to be ready for July 5,” said Obiang.

“I’ve been on holiday with my family and some friends to Mykonos and Athens in Greece, Belgrade in Serbia, and Montenegro, which was both interesting and relaxing, but now is the time to think about my work because I want to be ready to train and play.

“I have two things to improve. I need to shoot more at the goal and give more assists to my teammates.”

(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

Obiang enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Hammers last term, making 30 appearances in claret and blue and scoring his first Premier League goal against Southampton.

That strike, he admits, is one of his favourite moments in the West Ham shirt to date, and insists he feels right at home at the London Stadium.

“I have many good memories of my time with West Ham,” he said. “The last game in Upton Park, the atmosphere and everything was amazing, and of course the game in the FA Cup against Liverpool when Angelo Ogbonna scored the winner in the last minute.

“This last season, the best moments were when I scored my first goal and when I saw the videos of the supporters singing my song!”