Faubert takes time over comeback

West Ham winger Julien Faubert is refusing to rush his comeback from a serious Achilles injury despite a goalscoring return for the reserves.

The Frenchman scored within a minute of his first appearance since getting injured in pre-season, then he was taken off at half-time against Aston Villa’s second string.

It raised hopes of competing soon for a first-team place but the 24-year-old told French newspaper L’Equipe: “I have been waiting for five months so I can wait for a few more weeks.”

Although they eventually lost 2-1 to Villa, there was more good news for boss Alan Curbishley in terms of players returning from injury.

“The big plusses from our point of view for West Ham is that Julien Faubert, Luis Boa Morte, James Collins and Calum Davenport came through their first games for quite a long time – in Julien’s case for six months which is fabulous for him,” said reserves manager Kevin Keen on official website whufc.com.

Keen was encouraged by Faubert’s return at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, adding: “It showed you what he’s about.

“He’s direct, he’s pacy but at the same time he will work hard for the team. We hope once he’s back to full fitness that he can really go into the first team and make a difference on that right side for us.

“It was his first game since pre-season, it was just a matter of easing him into it.”