WEST Ham winger Matty Etherington is back with a bang - and the 26-year-old is rather enjoying himself.

Having lost his place to Luis Boa Morte during the second half of last season, many supporters expected the Truro-born wideman to leave the club in the summer.

However, Etherington decided to stay and fight for his place and that move is starting to pay off.

Boa Morte produced a sub-par performance in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the season's opening day, with the former Tottenham Hotspur man replacing the Portuguese international at half-time.

Etherington produced a lively display in the defeat and followed that up with another impressive outing in the 1-0 win at Birmingham City on Saturday.

The former Peterborough United trainee is expected to keep his place for this weekend's visit of Wigan Athletic, and Etherington cannot wait for Saturday to come.

"I have had a really good pre-season which has left me feeling sharp, and it has been a case of waiting to take my chance," he said.

"I came on as a sub against Man City and was pleased with what I did and I was delighted to get the opportunity to start at Birmingham.

"Now I have to keep going with every game I play."

Etherington, who has made 161 appearances for the club since switching from White Hart Lane in August 2003, was touted as a possible solution to England's left-sided problem during Alan Pardew's reign.

While an international call-up may be some way off, West Ham fans will be delighted with the form of their own number 11.