Maiga ready to take Prem chance

West Ham striker Modibo Maiga is ready to make his mark on the Barclays Premier League after scoring his first goal for the club.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has been conscious not to throw Maiga in at they deep end of English football following his summer transfer from French club Sochaux. Allardyce believes overseas players need time to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League and Maiga has been restricted to substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Swansea.

But the Mali international is straining at the leash after marking his first West Ham start with a goal and a key assist as the Hammers best Crewe 2-0 in the Capital One Cup. He told the club's official website: "Of course, scoring my first goal was great and I was happy to contribute to the victory."

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