Hammers crock Don Hutchison has hit out at the club's training schedule after he suffered a setback to his recovery last week.
Hutchison, 31, had been expected to resume his first team career last Monday night when the Hammers faced Southampton at the Boleyn, after he came through a reserve game against Coventry the previous week unscathed.But the former Liverpool and Sunderland star has accused the club of delaying his return by forcing him - and several others, who played against Coventry - to embark on energy sapping training routines the following morning.
Speaking on his website at icons.com, Hutchison said:
"I would have been fit enough to be considered for Monday's match against Southampton but for a tough training session the morning after our reserve game against Coventry City, last Tuesday.
"We didn't perform well in the 1-1 draw, and subsequently had to do a running session the next day. Unfortunately our muscles were still tight from the night before and four players went down with muscle injuries - which is a disaster considering our current injury problems.
"It all came about during a sprinting session, which obviously puts a lot of pressure on the hamstrings when your muscles are tight.
"I strained one of my hamstrings - which is still bruised - and Freddie Kanoute, Gary Breen and a young pro all picked up strains too."
All of which explains why both Hutchison and Kanoute - also expected to return for the Southampton match - failed to appear. A reason the club would perhaps had preferred to keep under wraps.
As a result of Kanoute failing to return, Paolo Di Canio was forced to play whilst injured - a situation which has led to him being forced out of action until next February.
Hutchison - who could now be in contention for Di Canio's place - adds:
"We should have taken it a lot easier and it's very frustrating that my comeback has been delayed again.
"However I had a scan on Wednesday and thankfully the damage isn't too serious. I should be back in training on Monday."
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