Dan Chesters stepped into an unfamiliar role on his return to Premier League 2 action.
The 20-year-old was asked to play in a right wing-back role against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday; a match which marked his first start for West Ham United U21s since returning from a loan spell with EFL League Two side Colchester United.
Chesters has not fulfilled the job for a number of years but it was one the versatile wide-man relished, as he helped the team to a 3-2 win.
“It’s the first time I’ve played in that sort of role for a couple of years,” the Academy graduate told whufc.com. “I think I did okay. I got a couple of chances in the second half too, so I think I did alright. It’s a performance I can build on.”
Chesters' return to the starting XI on Monday evening was his second start in all competitions since returning to development team action in January.
The youngster is enjoying being back in familiar surrounding though, playing alongside his friends from the Academy of Football and training each day at Rush Green.
For Chesters, the push now is to return consistently to Mark Robson’s team and also look towards breaking into the senior set-up as well.
“It’s been good being back,” he continued. “I’m just trying to get back to full fitness and trying to get myself in the squad and starting XI more. There’s a good group of players here, so it’s going to be hard, but I’m eager to get more minutes under my belt.
“I did miss this group while I was out on loan. It’s special, playing alongside your friends, and now I’m back I hope I can help the team climb the table and have a good end to the season.”
Now just four days following the U21s sixth win in their last eight games, Robson's outfit welcome league leaders Manchester City to Rush Green Stadium. Chesters is anticipating another tough test but knows the Irons have the quality to claim another huge result.
He added: “I don’t think we saw our best against Brighton, but it was important to get the result and that’s what we managed to do.
“Man City is going to be a hard game. It’s a quick turnaround so we need to be on it, in terms of our recovery and our training, but we have the confidence to go out and take the game to them.
"They’re top of the league but we’re in good form too, so it should be a good match.”
