Matt Fry hopes to taste West Ham United first team action next season.

The West Ham United defender, who spent the season on loan at League One clubs Gillingam and Charlton Athletic, has agreed a new contract with the club he has represented since he was eleven.

Fry told whufc.com: "Being offered a new contract has made the whole season worthwhile. I only signed for a year last season, so earning a longer deal was obviously my main aim. I have got two years, but that does not mean I am going to stop working hard every day in training. I am under no illusions. I want to get back to West Ham and to earn myself an even longer contract.

"Even though I had my knee injury, I made a good decision to go to Charlton. The manager rang me up and said I would play when I was fit. Unfortunately, it took a little bit longer to get it right, so I wasn't able to play in a team challenging for promotion.

"I was always going to be the sixth loan player as the manager was never going to pick me over a fully-fit loan player.

"I see it as a blessing in disguise, though, because it has given me time to get myself completely right and come back stronger. It was unfortunate that I didn't get a chance to play at Charlton, but just being involved and training hard every day with the squad has been of benefit to me."