Cresswell is closing in on a first-team return after injury.
West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell has told the club’s official website that he is hugely relieved to be back after injury and is targeting a return to first-team action when Premier League football resumes after the international break.
Cresswell missed just a single league game in his first two years as a Hammer, becoming a hugely important part of the side under first Sam Allardyce and then Slaven Bilic.
However, he is yet to make an appearance this season after suffering a knee ligament injury in a pre-season match, which was initially expected to rule him out of action for at least four months.
His recovery is ahead of schedule, though, and the 26-year-old played 50 minutes of a training match against the club’s development side on Thursday.
Cresswell admitted after the game that he was thrilled and relieved to be back in action, and hinted that he could yet be fit to return to senior action in some capacity after the international break.
The England international told the club’s website: “It feels good to be back out there training with the lads and not being stuck in the gym or the treatment room as I look to get the knee right.
“I could not have asked anymore from the physios, especially Eamon [Swift], our Rehab Fitness Coach who has helped me out massively over the last 12 weeks.
“It is not just the body, it is the mind as well that you have to get right. For me this is the first time I have had a long-term injury and hopefully it will be the last. I am looking forward to getting back in contention. I have played 50 minutes and the knee feels good. I am looking forward to next week.”
That news will come as a huge relief for Hammers fans, given both how important a player Cresswell is to the club and how poor a defensive record the side have this term.
The signed to fill Cresswell’s boots during his absence, Arthur Masuaku, has failed to convince thus far, and there can be no doubt that Bilic’s side will be significantly improved by the Englishman’s return.
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