STRIKER Freddie Sears returned to West Ham on Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon he was coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup clash with Arsenal. The 20-year-old Romford-born forward was recalled after 19 games of his loan spell at Crystal Palace be

STRIKER Freddie Sears returned to West Ham on Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon he was coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup clash with Arsenal.

The 20-year-old Romford-born forward was recalled after 19 games of his loan spell at Crystal Palace because of the striker shortage at Upton Park, and he received a rapturous reception when he came on with 20 minutes to go on Sunday.

Sears feels that although he didn't score during his time at Selhurst Park - apart from the infamous phantom goal at Bristol City of course - he has still learned a lot.

"The Palace experience has helped me," he insisted. "You grow up a lot when you leave the place where you know everything and have to start again. It is great to be able to come back and show that I have learned a lot."

Sears spent much of his loan spell playing on the right wing, but he insists that did not affect his enjoyment.

"You have just got to try and get the best out of the experience," he said. "There was not a minute of it I didn't like and they have helped me along. It has all been part of the learning curve."

Sears will step into the position in the squad vacated by Zavon Hines, who is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.