Midfielder says West Ham is ‘perfect club’ for him despite injury blow

Alou Diarra admits he's had a frustrating start to life at West Ham United. Photo credit: Olly Greenwood/EMPICS

Tuesday, October 9, 2012
6:08 PM

Alou Diarra says that West Ham is the ideal club for him to make a success of his second spell in England, though he is frustrated that his return has been blighted by injury.

The 31-year-old, who spent three missing years at Liverpool, moved to the Hammers from Marseille in the summer but only made two appearances before suffering a thigh strain.

He told France Football: “In my mind I am fine, but physically I am not so well.

“I picked up a serious right thigh strain about a fortnight ago. The examinations revealed quite a big hematoma.

“The club doctor stated I will need two months to recover, but I hope it will be a little less.

“You just have to put up with it, get good treatment, and let it heal to avoid relapse. But after starting for a new club it is quite annoying.”

Diarra admits he has unfinished business with the Premier League after he signed for Liverpool in 2002 but returned to France three years later without having played a game for the Merseyside club.

“West Ham is not a promoted side like any other,” the France international said. “We have achieved a very good start to Premier League.

“It is not by chance if I made the decision to join West Ham. It is perfect club at which to adapt to England.”

He added: “(During my time at Liverpool) I passed like a mirage. I immediately asked to be loaned to France. I didn’t have time to become immersed with the English culture.

“I’ve wanted to come back to England for a while.”