Slaven Bilic is keen to get Alex Song back hit and firing as soon as possible, with the Cameroonian midfielder set to complete a permanent transfer to Upton Park following a loan spell last year. He was linked with Manchester City and Chelsea, but neither side acted upon their interest, and The Hammers look set to bring in the former Arsenal man.
And Bilic hopes he could be ready to join up with the first-team squad ahead of the coming international break, where he’ll be able to make his first appearance of the season, having not even got in the squad for any of Barcelona’s three Super Cup matches for the start of the season.
Song was praised for his early time at West Ham last season, before falling out of favour somewhat towards the end of the campaign. Despite that, Slaven Bilic has wanted to bring him back into the fold for the coming season, and looks set to get his man.
Speaking about his new signing’s fitness situation, quoted by London 24, Bilic said: “A few weeks’ time I think.”
“It is not tomorrow of course, maybe after the international break but we will see how he goes. His rehab is part of his pre-season so that helps in terms of running and soon.”
“He is a risk. Every player is a risk. He was on our list from the start of the transfer window. We wanted to lower the risk by waiting for a bit.”
“From the reports, not from me watching him, he is doing really well, he is ahead of schedule. I said before he was ahead of schedule. I knew it was a risk, but based on the reports, all the risk has basically gone.”
