WEST HAM: Collison pushing for Stoke start (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WEST HAM: Collison pushing for Stoke start

4:42pm Friday 16th October 2009 in

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GIANFRANCO ZOLA has confirmed that midfielder Jack Collison will return to the squad to face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow after shrugging off a knee injury.

It has been a difficult time for the young Welsh international, after his father died in a car accident last month. He has missed the last six weeks through injury, but Zola insists the promising midfielder is back to his best and raring to go.

He said: “He (Collison) is in the squad. He's had a rough time but now he's very good and his presence is so important for the others. He has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and we need that tomorrow, that's vital.

“We've tried to stay close to him but he's a strong boy and after a while he got back on track and he's doing very well.”

Collison could find himself thrust straight back into the first team as Zola is likely to choose between the 20-year-old and Switzerland international Valon Behrami to replace Scott Parker in the centre of midfield, as he is serving a suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

Kieron Dyer is unavailable but Danny Gabbidon is back in the frame and is another option for Zola in defence.