Byram ready to kick-start West Ham’s pre-season preparations

West Ham United’s Sam Byram has returned after an eventful summer in the United States to start his pre-season training a week early.

Following an adventure-packed holiday in Los Angeles, Byram is one of several first-team players who is already underway with fitness and rehabilitation work before Slaven Bilic’s squad officially start their pre-season preparations.

The rest of the Hammers squad will be back at Rush Green next week before flying to Austria for some warm-weather training – an experience Byram knows will be physically challenging after a long break.

“We’ve got a programme to do over our holidays and I only live 15 minutes from the training ground, so it’s easy for me to just pop in and use the facilities here to keep me in shape,” the right-back said.

Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

“I think anyone who says they enjoy the first week [of a pre-season camp] is probably lying.

“It is very tough but you need it to condition you for the rest of the season.”

“It is an important time to go away and rest your legs and have some fun and do some things with your family and friends.

“I’ve had a good four or five weeks, but it’s time to put the work in now.”