Friday 13 October 2017 15:31, UK
Reece Oxford insists he feels fitter than ever and is ready to be given his chance at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 18-year-old English defender, who was loaned to the Bundesliga club by West Ham for the season, is yet to make an appearance for Monchengladbach this season.
He spent the tail-end of last term on loan at Reading, making five appearances, after impressing early on during his West Ham career.
Now, Oxford insists he is remaining patient and working hard in Germany for when the opportunity arises.
He told Sky Sports: "I think I'm fitter than ever now. I've done pre-season with Gladbach, I feel good and ready, I'm just waiting for my opportunity. It's patience, I'm young, watching the centre-backs ahead of me, and seeing what I can do to make me better.
"I'm just ready now, ready to make my debut, and hopefully it'll be good and I won't look back from there.
"I just hope to return to West Ham as a more experienced player, ready to play in the Premier League or any league."
Oxford, who has captained England at youth level, was named alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford in the UEFA Golden Boy nominees last month.
The Edmonton-born player, who also appeared in defensive midfield for West Ham, says his long-term goal is to become senior England captain and play at a World Cup, and says Germany is a good place for young players to develop.
"My long-term goals are to be in the England squad, play in a World Cup and be captain for my country, I've always wanted to be that.
"Germany is just a big experience, from the Championship, which is a physical league, to Germany, which is fast and quick.
"Germany is good for young players, they're very strict and training is very intense. I'm not saying West Ham or Reading's training wasn't good, it's just different here."
Oxford's West Ham debut came in a man-of-the-match display in the 2-0 win at Arsenal on the first day of the 2015/16 season, and the youngster insists that experience helped him to grow up fast.
"It opened me up to the world. Players said I couldn't do certain things, had to be more secretive with my life, and that you can't be a kid anymore!
"I had to be an adult, be mature and grow up really. I took that on board and I like to think I am mature now and have grown up."
