Julien Faubert's first FA Cup experience may have ended in disappointment, but the Frenchman is "feeling good" to be back playing for West Ham.The £6.1million summer signing from Bordeaux suffered a ruptured Achilles during pre-season, and made what was only a second appearance of the campaign when coming on just after the hour mark during last night's third-round replay defeat at Manchester City.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is keen not to push the highly-rated French international too hard too soon, cautious of the winger suffering an adverse reaction.

However, Faubert, 24, is more than happy with the way things are progressing and could feature again this weekend, when the east London club will take on City for the second time in four days - but this time with Premier League points on the line.

"The first five minutes it was hard for me and hard for my body but after that I got used to it and it felt good," Faubert said.

"I know that in English football, they play very quickly and I haven't played a game for six months - but I am all right now.

"I feel good in my health.

"If I start, I am ready. If I am on the bench, I am ready."

Faubert, who spent some of his rehabilitation time in the south of France, added on the club's official website, www.whufc.com: "When I came back I didn't know when I would be playing, but now I am very confident.

"I just have to work on my endurance fitness now."

A second-half goal from Brazilian Elano was enough to edge City into the fourth round.

However, the visitors looked to have a good penalty shout turned down after a foul by impressive City keeper Joe Hart on returning midfielder Lee Bowyer.

Faubert believes the Hammers can get the upper hand when the two sides clash again at Eastlands on Sunday.

He said: "When we play again here in the Premier League, it will be very important and we will try to win when we come back.

"We have a better idea of how they play. I hope we win. The whole team is very competitive, and we don't like to lose."

Despite their injury problems, West Ham continue to occupy a top-10 place and could move to within four points of City, on whom they have a match in hand.

Curbishley said: "We can take a lot out of this game and come back on Sunday and try to turn it around.

"We just need to regroup and, if I get the same level of performance and effort, then we may well get something."

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