Oops! Already posted in the QPR thread...
http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1370579,00.htmlCollins and Quashie play
Kevin Keen was pleased to see James Collins and Nigel Quashie get back to action on Tuesday
James Collins and Nigel Quashie both came through 45 minutes of a practice match against Queens Park Rangers behind closed doors at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday afternoon.
The game, which finished 2-2 after two Luis Boa Morte strikes, was arranged to help the pair on their way back to fitness. Collins, who captained the side and showed his appetite for the game with some solid tackles, has not played since a knee ligament injury back on reserve-team duty in January while Quashie, who has had a persistent foot injury, last featured for the reserves back in November.
Reserve-team manager Kevin Keen was delighted to see both players take the next step on the comeback trail as they work their way back towards Alan Curbishley's first-team plans in a game that also featured former Hammers midfielder Hogan Ephraim and several second-half changes. "If you think about it neither of them have played a full match for quite some considerable time," he said. "That was their first 45 minutes and they have both come through it OK."
Boa Morte caught the eye with the opening two goals on 19 and 21 minutes, despite playing out on the left wing. The first saw him receive the ball eight yards out and he made no mistake with a neat finish in the corner. The second goal came about after a strong run by Zavon Hines led to Bowyer picking up possession in central midfield and feeding Boa Morte. The Portuguese forward's first shot hit the keeper but he kept his composure to slot in the rebound despite defenders scrambling to get in a block.
Keen added: "I thought Lee and Luis were the best two players on the pitch by a distance. They were both very good and their attitude and fitness was good. Bow created a lot of things, Luis scored two so it was a good run-out for us. We got what we wanted out of it." QPR pulled one back through Ephraim just before half-time with a strong finish before a late Matteo Alberti penalty - that Jan Lastuvka on his first appearance at the stadium could do nothing about - ensured a draw.
Since 'Deadly Don' 2nd time around?
