Jack Collison hopes to be back in time to help West Ham's fight for Barclays Premier League survival after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.
The midfielder, 22, is set for another run-out with the reserves against Bolton tonight, in a game which is also likely to feature Kieron Dyer as he also builds up match fitness after a loan spell with former club Ipswich.
The Hammers can do with all the extra help they can muster as manager Avram Grant looks to guide his men out of the bottom three although it is looking like a stern test with his former club Chelsea next up this weekend.
While the trip to Stamford Bridge will come too soon for Collison, the Wales midfielder hopes it will not be long before he can get back into first-team contention.
"I am ready and looking to do my bit," Collison told the club's official website, www.whufc.com.
"I have only played a couple of reserve games, but I have been training for a long while now with the team. The medical department have been brilliant to me. It's been a real team effort and they've been working hard with me around the clock.
"They have got me back into good shape and I feel good and I'm ready to go. It would be nice to have an opportunity between now and the end of the season to help the team out."
