Stewart Downing: 'Dubai break will help West Ham United'

West Ham United midfielder Stewart Downing has claimed that the team's warm-weather training trip to Dubai will help them to finish the season strongly.

The Hammers enjoyed a long weekend in the United Arab Emirates as the Premier League took a break for the FA Cup.

Having played 15 matches since Boxing Day, Downing believes that some recovery in the sun will assist West Ham in getting back to winning ways in the Premier League.

"I think it's good for us to get away at this time of year," he told the club's official website. "A lot of countries do have a winter break, so a couple of days rest means we can rest, recover and get ready for the next game.

"I think we needed a break. We had a lot of games with the FA Cup games and obviously the Premier League, so it's nice to get a couple of days rest and recover for the next one."

West Ham are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Arsenal in the league.