West Ham head coach Matt Beard says his squad are the ‘fittest’ he has seen them since he was appointed in 2018.

The squad are already three weeks into pre-season training as they prepare for the 2020/21 Women’s Super League season starting next month. 

During coronavirus lockdown the team were set individual programmes to keep their fitness levels up, and Beard is more than impressed.

He told the club’s website: "I’ve been really pleased with what I’ve seen so far. The players all came back fit and it’s the fittest I have seen them during my time here, which is really positive. 

"We’re slowly but surely getting through the fundamentals of our attacking and defending play. We’re happy with where we are with that, because a lot of the work we were doing last year started to come together towards what ended up being the close of last season.

“It’s only the new signings and the Academy girls that we have training with us that we need to tidy that up with. It’s been a smoother pre-season for us on that front so far, and I’m happy with where we’re at.”

The Hammers have also made several summer signings including striker Nor Mustafa, Australian international Mackenzie Arnold and Maz Pachedo.

The WSL 2020/21 season is set to begin on September 5.