West Ham United fullback Aaron Cresswell has welcomed an intense preseason.

The Hammers are back in action against Brentford on Saturday afternoon, just a few days after the team was split in two to play concurrent matches away to Ipswich Town and Wycombe Wanderers.

“We only had a short break but it was good to spend some time with the family after a long season which was over a year long," Cresswell told whufc.com. “It was tough time but it's behind of us now. There are only a couple of weeks to go until the season starts so we need to get running and make sure we're fit for the start of the season.

“I think it's a real benefit to us. We had a tough week in Scotland training and then we've come to Ipswich and the other lads went to Wycombe. Normally with one game, the manager would normally give players 45 or 60 minutes. It was good for everyone to get close to 90 minutes and it will stand us in good stead."

Cresswell also had a positive word for young teammates Ajbola Alese and Conor Coventry.

He added: “Playing alongside Aji, it was my first time playing alongside him and I thought he was excellent against Ipswich. Conor isn't a right-back by trade, but he slotted in against Ipswich and he did fantastic."