South Africa's Benni McCarthy is keen to show new West Ham manager Avram Grant he is worth a place in the Premier League side's attack when the new season starts next month.

The 32-year-old striker suffered the disappointment of being left out of hosts South Africa's World Cup squad, despite being his country's all-time leading goalscorer.

McCarthy, signed by former Hammers boss Giafranco Zola from Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers during the January transfer window, managed just five appearances for the London club and failed to score after being troubled by a knee injury.

"I still have loads to prove to the West Ham fans," McCarthy, who returned early to pre-seasom training, told www.whufc.com, the club's official website.

"For me, I am like a new player coming in, because last season I am writing off. I have been training hard for two weeks now and it is all off my own back," added McCarthy, who had been accused of being overweight.

"I am very determined and that is why I decided to come back earlier.

"I wanted to make a fresh start - what I couldn't do then, I want to be able to do now.

"The injury is completely fine and the weight is back to normal.

"I have been following my programme since the end of the season.

"It is the first time that something like this has happened to me and I need to make sure it doesn't happen again."