JOHN Pantsil is itching to show the West Ham fans that he is back and raring to go, writes James Randall.

The full back (pictured) spent the start of the year representing Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, playing every minute of his country's five games as they reached the semi finals.

And he received a rapturous reception in his first game back for the Hammers - as an unused substitute against Fulham - and admitted that his thoughts were never too far from east London.

"I am so happy to be back with West Ham," he said.

"When I was playing at the Cup of Nations, people were shouting 'West Ham' at me and I was so happy and proud to hear my club's name mentioned in Ghana.

"I was watching every game that was happening, especially when we played in the FA Cup against Manchester City.

"At the end I felt so bad about that and after we won against Liverpool I was so happy."

The 26-year-old - who joined the club in August 2006 - is now looking forward to being involved in the Hammers remaining 11 games.

And he is eager to take "any chance he can get" in the first team as they bid to achieve a seventh spot finish in the Premier League table.

"I can't wait to play in Europe with West Ham," he said. "I believe that this year we will make it."