Express & Star

Georgios Samaras: I'm ready to impress at Albion

Published
Last updated

Summer signing Georgios Samaras claims he is ready to make an impact at Albion after a "crazy" start to his Hawthorns career.

more

The Greece international is yet to start a game for the Baggies after his free-transfer switch from Celtic was followed by a lengthy search for full fitness.

But the 29-year-old says he is finally closing in on peak condition and ready to make his mark for Alan Irvine's side.

"I'm feeling better and better all the time," said Samaras. "My team-mates and coaches are now realising what kind of player I can be and things are a lot clearer now.

"Hopefully I can play many more games and start impressing the manager.

[related_posts title="More on Samaras"]

"It's been a strange season up to now. I was unfit when I came for six or seven weeks after the World Cup.

"I was training on my own and had to catch my team-mates up, which is difficult during the season.

"I then got called up to the national team so I wasn't able to stay here and work.

[comments_cta]

"In the last three or four weeks I feel good in my body and mind. Hopefully now the good things will come. But it was a crazy summer."

Samaras is pushing to be involved in Saturday's lunchtime clash with Arsenal as Irvine considers his options following back-to-back defeats against Newcastle and Chelsea.

The former Manchester City man has made just six substitute appearances for Albion including two in the Capital One Cup, meaning he has managed just 53 minutes of Premier League action so far.

But he said: "The support from the club has been good, not just from the gaffer but the coaching staff and everyone else.

"They have been patient with me, worked with me. The gaffer is a very honest guy. He tells you anything he needs to your face.

"I am very happy here but now I need to start playing football.

"I don't like to be sat on the bench or sit in the stand. I came here to play football."