HE MAY not have got on the park on Saturday, but one player who was glad just to be there was West Ham s jack of all trades Jonathan Spector. The United States international crashed to the turf with a huge thud in the clash with Sunderland at Upton Park t

HE MAY not have got on the park on Saturday, but one player who was glad just to be there was West Ham's jack of all trades Jonathan Spector.

The United States international crashed to the turf with a huge thud in the clash with Sunderland at Upton Park three weeks ago and had to be stretchered off. Saturday's encounter with Chelsea was his first opportunity to return to the West Ham squad.

It was an injury that still has the 23-year-old very much in the dark.

"I don't remember much about it to be honest, but I'm okay now," said Spector, after sitting things out as an unused sub against the Blues.

"Obviously with concussion you have the three-week break to check everything's okay.

"I've been out for three weeks and only just trained on Friday, so I am just happy to be back and fully fit again."

Spector has done well when filling in for Lucas Neill at right back this season, though much of the campaign has been spent frustratingly on the treatment table after a hip operation last summer that forced him to miss his country's involvement in the Beijing Olympics.

From his vantage point on the sidelines on Saturday, he certainly felt that the Hammers deserved something from the game.

"Yeah, I think so. They probably had a little bit more of the possession, but we probably had the better chances to score so I think we'd say we were definitely a little bit disappointed with the result," said the American, who now has 12 international caps to his name as the United States attempt to book a place in next year's World Cup.

He is optimistic that West Ham can still get something out of this season's efforts.

"We are still pretty upbeat," he insisted. "We've got a lot to play for, getting into Europe and getting that seventh spot.

"It's still pretty tight between seventh and 10th place. We know we've got a lot of work to do and we're looking forward to the next game."

That is against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium and Spector is expecting a tough clash.

"There are never any easy games in the Premier League, but going there you know exactly what to expect and I'm sure we will be prepared for it," he said.

"They definitely are a physical side. I hope it doesn't mean any more injuries for us."

Injuries have been the watchword at West Ham for the second season running, and Spector has suffered as much as most this campaign. But if he can stay fit, he may prove a useful member of Gianfranco Zola's squad.