Roeder raring to go

Glenn Roeder returned to work at West Ham today vowing: “I feel fine and I’m ready for the challenge.”

The Hammers boss, who collapsed after the dramatic 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough on April 21, had been convalescing after the operation to remove a brain tumour.

But he was back behind his desk at the club’s Chadwell Heath training ground in east London this morning ready to begin his quest to bounce back to the Barclaycard Premiership.

Roeder assessed his return in place of caretaker manager Trevor Brooking, who was unable to halt the Hammers’ slide towards the drop, and declared: “There is unfinished business as far as I’m concerned.

“It’s been tough over the past few months – especially for my family – but that’s all behind us now.

“I feel good, I’ve waited a long time for this and I can’t wait to get started.

“I have been away for a holiday with the family and now it’s down to work. There’s a lot to be done.”

West Ham’s players – minus the string of stars released and a handful of internationals given extra time off – began pre-season training this morning in preparation for the start of their Division One campaign at Preston on August 9.

Roeder maintains the Upton Park side were unfortunate to tumble through the relegation trapdoor.

“In any other season, our run after Christmas would have been more than enough to see us safe – but not this time,” he told the London Evening Standard.

“Relegation was hard to take for everyone – but it’s a reality and we have to deal with it.”