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West Ham new signing set to make debut after physio update
By Will Butcher
New signing Alvaro Arbeloa is set to make his debut for West Ham after being declared fit following his late-window move.
Arbeloa, formerly of Real Madrid and Liverpool, was snapped up by manager Slaven Bilic on a one-year deal during the latter stages of the summer transfer window as cover for first-choice right-back Sam Byram.
Now, Hammers medical chief Stijn Vandenbroucke has provided an update on the 33-year-old, confirming that he is fit enough to face League Two minnows Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
“Alvaro Arbeloa is working very hard on the training pitch,” Vandenbroucke wrote on West Ham’s official website. “Having arrived with us in a good physical condition. If all goes to plan, he will be available to play some part in the EFL Cup against Accrington Stanley next week.”
Arbeloa’s debut for the Hammers will mark his return to England for the first time in seven years, following a two-year spell with Liverpool before he left to join Champions League winners Real Madrid for £5million in 2009.
World Cup winner Arbeloa left Anfield just two appearances shy of a century of games for the Merseyside club, and has gone on to win two Champions League trophies and the La Liga with the Galacticos.
West Ham’s new number five became Bilic’s 11th summer signing, joining the likes of Simone Zaza, Andre Ayew and Sofiane Feghouli.
In other West Ham news, this striker is using an unconventional technique to get fit.