WEST HAM striker Zavon Hines has stated his intent to break into Gianfranco Zola's first team plans this season after several eye-catching displays during pre-season.
The 20-year-old Hammers graduate scored late on to put the icing on a 2-0 win over Beijing Guoan in the final game of the Barclays Asia Trophy. He enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign last time around as well, scoring five goals in six games, only for a knee injury to curtail his efforts to become a first-team regular.
Now injury-free, he is determined to make the step up in class and compete with the likes of Carlton Cole and Dean Ashton for a place at the head of Zola's attack.
“Last year I had a good pre-season and then got the injury, but hopefully I can carry on this year and get through the season with no injuries and be involved as much as I can with the first team,” Hines told the club's official website. “I want to show the manager what I can do.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here