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West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek has admitted his recent absence with a head injury picked up in the win over Brighton was one of the worst of his career.

The West Ham midfielder has been speaking to the Czech Republic’s official website after linking up with his teammates for this international break.

He was forced to sit out last weekend’s win over Luton Town after picking up a head injury in the win over Brighton the week before.

A clash with Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saw him pulled out in the first half of that game after initial tests showed he had suffered a concussion.

That meant he was forced to sit out the clash with Luton the following week thanks to the Premier League’s rules around head injuries, which require a full seven-day recovery period, which includes missing training.

Thus, Soucek missed the win over Luton on Friday as the game fell into the required period, a decision it seems was a smart one as the West Ham man has admitted the injury was one of the more unpleasant ones of his career to date.

“I have to say that the injury was unpleasant, it was a big blow,” he said.

“I have experienced quite a few injuries, but this was one of the most unpleasant. But the recovery went well, I feel fit and I’m looking forward to the match.

“The English FA has rules on how many days you can do what. I had a few days off. I then first prepared contactless.

“I was with my family for two days, on the third and fourth day I was able to go for a bike ride, exercise a little, but without tremors, maintain myself.

“On the fifth, sixth and seventh day, I already went for a run. But once I got to the meeting, I could do anything. It went well before the game.”