West Ham talent is looking to bounce back after a tough year.
West Ham United talent Moses Makasi is hoping to make up for lost time after a frustrating season.
Makasi began last year well, captaining the under-23s, before he went out on loan to Plymouth and suffered a cartilage tear in his knee.
He said he will not be back in time for the start of the season.
Makasi said: “At first it was really hard to take that I was injured, and it’s never nice. The target now is to return for the middle of September but you know with these injuries, any hiccup can affect you so I have to focus on working hard and looking at that date as the aim.”
This means Makasi will miss pre-season, and won’t be able to show new boss Manuel Pellegrini what he can do right away.
When he does return, Makasi is setting his sights on the first team.
He said: ““It’s always good when a new manager comes in because he has likely never seen any of us play and the first impression is important. Hopefully I can get my knee right, get fit and push myself into contention.”
Time is not on Makasi’s side at 22 and he won’t be fit in order to secure a loan deal either.
Where he can benefit is heading into November and December when the squad gets stretched with injuries and suspensions, and if he can impress Pellegrini, he will be fresh and could provide added competition and depth at a time when the team will need it most, and won’t be able to look to the transfer window to supplement the squad.
It will be an uphill task, but the club have shown faith in him by handing Makasi a new deal so now he must do his best to repay them.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
