West Ham United left-back George McCartney has targeted a return to the first team for the visit of West Bromwich Albion on March 30.

McCartney has been out of action since the start of December after injuring a knee ligament, but was named in the matchday squad in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

"It has been a long time out and the last time I played 90 minutes was December," he told the club's official website. "I had a run out on Friday night for the development squad and it was good to play the full game on Tuesday and get a positive result.

"The knee's feeling good, I think I probably need a bit more fitness and a bit more sharpness but that will come with the next few days' training and hopefully some more game time.

"I've only been back training for about ten days to two weeks. The next game's not until the end of March so that gives me a bit of time to do some more training, more fitness work and I'll be raring to go come the West Brom game."

McCartney has made 12 appearances for West Ham this season.