Jarrod Bowen looked sharp as he made his pre-season bow with a 62-minute run out in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Reading.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a busy summer, earning his first four England caps before resting up on a shorter than usual holiday.
He returned to Rush Green at the end of last week, and capped the first phase of his preparations by taking to the field at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, where he laid on Nikola Vlašić's 52nd-minute goal with a fine run and cross.
Bowen was only denied a goal himself by a superb fingertip save by Royals stopper Joe Lumley and he told West Ham TV at the final whistle that he was feeling fit and raring to go again.
It’s always good to play the first game and get it out of the way.
It’s been a different pre-season to normal as I’ve come in with weeks with England under my belt. It’s a different experience for me as you don’t lose as much as you usually do, but it’s still good to get the first game in – especially in this heat!
I got in the game, had chances, got an assist, so it was good.
It’s such a long season, going away with England at the end, so you kind of need that down time.
You don’t lose too much fitness but you have to keep yourself in top condition when you’re off as well to hit the ground running.
That’s my main focus for pre-season, to start the season how I finished the last one.
It’s good to be back with the boys too.
We’ve been back a week or ten days now, so it’s good to be back with them and play on the pitch with them too.
I loved every minute of my England experience.
I went there not really knowing what to expect and of course you’re there on merit but you never know if you’re going to play any minutes.
So for me to play a part in every single game and get four caps for my country has topped off a perfect season. The summer for me was the best one I’ve had so far, I enjoyed every minute of it, and now it’s about working hard and getting into the squad in September and then there’s a World Cup at the end of the year.
Personally and as a Club, we just want to keep progressing as we have done for the last two years.
For me, it’s going stride-for-stride. My two focuses on a Club level and with the national team haven’t changed – I just want to do my best for myself and this Club.
We've got Rangers next and I’d have preferred it to have been the Europa League final!
But to go an historic stadium against a massive club – it’ll probably be full as well – will be a good game to play in and a good atmosphere too.
