Vladimír Coufal has stated that the last home game of the season was ‘perfect’, in which he made his first appearance following a hamstring injury.

There’s no arguing that both the Czech boys are hard as nails. It’s refreshing, when in the modern game players are throwing themselves to the floor constantly, to have two players who can have blood pouring from their head and still walk it off like it never happened. So, it always comes as a bit of a shock when they pick up an injury. 

Coufal pulled his hamstring against Manchester City and was expected to be sidelined until the Conference League final. As per usual, he surprised everyone by playing the full 90 minutes against Leeds. ‘I’m not sure why [I got injured], because I’ve never had a problem with the muscle,’ the right back said when talking to WHUFC.com.

‘It came in a bad moment but I have to say I worked really hard with our physio team. It was very intense but it proved fruitful. I’m back now and I’m ready to fight again.’ Since Coufal has been injured Kehrer has done an excellent job at right back in his absence, so it will definitely be a fight for Coufal to make the starting XI in the final, but it’s a battle he will certainly be up for.

The Czech Republic international admitted that he ‘was really struggling with the Alkmaar [away] game,’ confessing to being frustrated to the point of not being able to stay still. ‘I couldn’t just sit. I had to be doing the warm-up for 90 minutes and I felt more tired than if I had played!’ he joked, adding that ‘the guys handled the game in a really good way and we’re in the final now!’

With West Ham going to his hometown of Prague, he will be hoping to help his side make history by winning their first trophy since 1980. ‘I would like to invite every West Ham fan, who is able to buy a flight to Prague.’ A familiar place but, if all goes to plan, he’ll be coming away with an unfamiliar feeling. Moyes will be grateful to have Coufal back as we get closer to the final with an, almost, fully fit squad.