11/09/2007 16:53
There was a big boost for West Ham ahead of their league clash with
Middlesbrough at the weekend as Scott Parker got a welcome 80 minutes under
his belt today in a friendly match at Upton Park. The midfielder, who has
been out injured since pre-season, took part in a specially arranged
behind-closed-doors game with Championship side Colchester United. Also
playing was Calum Davenport, who has just recovered from a hernia operation,
and Dean Ashton also made the most of the opportunity to step up his
sharpness by playing the full game. Christian Dailly was in defence and
showed he is near-on back to full fitness after recovering from a fractured
foot. A lively game saw both sides competing well with the visitors taking
the lead, before Hammers equalised in the first half. Parker was making good
runs from midfield and nearly had a chance to score before half-time as he
followed up an Ashton pass, but the ball just landed too far in front of
him. In the second half, Hammers stepped up to score their second of the day
and the U's also grabbed another goal, to make it 2-2 at the finish. Parker
came off the field after 80 minutes and seemed to suffer no ill effects in
what was his first run-out since injuring his knee in the summer.
Ashton finished the match strongly as did Dailly and Davenport as Hammers
boss Alan Curbishley looked on from the stands.
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Hammers hit back of net for Parkinson's - WHUFC
11/09/2007 13:00
West Ham United have donated £2,000 to The Barking and Dagenham support
group of the Parkinson's Disease Society as part of the Premier League's
Creating Chances initiative. The money will be used to host an information
day, which will be held from 11am till 3pm on Tuesday 30 October at the
Learning Centre, Barking Library in Barking town centre.
Head of Press and PR, Miranda Nagalingam said: "West Ham is delighted to
make this donation to the Barking and Dagenham support group as it is
obviously local to our Club and therefore close to our hearts. We are sure
the information day the money is being used to fund will prove a useful and
informative way of educating the local community about Parkinson's disease
and showing sufferers that they are not alone."
Denise Maule, from the Barking and Dagenham Support Group said: "We're
delighted to receive this generous donation from West Ham United. The money
will make a real difference to the lives of many people living in the area.
"People diagnosed with Parkinson's can be left feeling isolated with lots of
questions, but with little support. We'll be using the money we've received
from West Ham United to hold an information day in the area and to arrange a
day out for our members. Information days are a great way to let people know
about the Parkinson's Disease Society and for people to share positive ways
of managing the condition."
The Barking and Dagenham Parkinson's Disease Society support group meets on
the first Friday of each month at Cambridge House, 12 Cambridge Road,
Barking, IG11 8NR between 2pm and 4pm. For more information on the group
contact Denise Maule on 020 8594 5950. People with questions or concerns
about Parkinson's can also visit the Parkinson's Disease Society website
www.parkinsons.org.uk or phone the Charity's freephone Helpline on 0808 800
0303.
nationally, including the development of Parkinson's Disease Nurse
Specialist posts across the UK. The PDS runs a free phone national helpline
[0808 800 0303 Monday - Friday 09:30am - 09:00 pm and Saturday 09:30am -
05:30pm] that provides advice and information to all people affected by
Parkinson's.
Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk
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Collins not keen on loan - SSN
Defender wants West Ham place back
Last updated: 11th September 2007
James Collins insists he has no intention of leaving West Ham United on a
loan basis. The defender was wanted by his former club Cardiff City, only
for The Hammers to reject the loan offer. In any event, Collins' sole target
is reclaiming his place in the West Ham side after a pre-season calf injury
hampered his progress. "I am not interested in a loan at the moment, I want
to prove myself at West Ham and win my place back," said Collins. The Wales
international has made just one substitute appearance for West Ham this
season, but lasted the full 90 minutes for his country against Germany at
the weekend. Collins was happy just to play in the 2-0 defeat and is now
focusing on the challenge of getting his West Ham place back. He added: "I
can do with any minutes on the pitch I can get at the moment, it has been a
very unlucky start to the season for me after how well last season finished.
"I was in the side that avoided relegation and just wanted to start this
season the way the last one had ended, but I picked up a calf injury right
at the beginning of pre-season training and it has held me back. "It has
kept me out of the West Ham team, and now they are playing well at the back
it is going to be a fight for me to get myself into the side. "That is what
football is all about, you must enjoy the challenge of such things."
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Ephraim staying longer -SSN
West Ham midfielder extends QPR loan spell
By Steven Morrison Last updated: 11th September 2007
West Ham midfielder Hogan Ephraim is set to extend his loan stay at Queens
Park Rangers until 8th October. The 19-year-old was originally at Loftus
Road for one month but Rangers manager John Gregory has agreed for him to
stay on further. Speaking on the club's official website, Gregory expressed
his pleasure at the deal. "Hogan is a quality player," he said. "He's very
versatile and has a good footballing brain for one so young. "He's come in
at a hugely difficult time for everyone connected to the club, but I'm sure
we'll see the very best of him over the next month."
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Bellamy ready for Eastwood link-up - Teamtalk
Craig Bellamy admits he knows precious little about Wales' latest star
Freddy Eastwood as the duo prepare to lead the line for the first time.
Bellamy and Eastwood are expected to be paired together up front for the
first time in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia in Trnava. If
Wales lose and the Czech Republic beat the Republic of Ireland in Prague,
than the Welsh will not be able to qualify for next summer's finals in
Austria and Switzerland. But that is far from Bellamy's mind, with the West
Ham striker revealing: "I have never played against Freddy, and I have only
seen him on TV. "Because of my family problems last week, I was only able to
train with him for a couple of days ahead of the Germany match."
Bellamy spent three days and nights at the bedside of his newly-born
daughter, who had to return to hospital with feeding complications. The 27
year-old had to sidestep the Cardiff defeat by the Germans, saying: "I love
football but my wife and family are more important." Eastwood, who scored
the winner on his debut against Bulgaria last month, was forced to play on
his own up front in a hastily-reshuffled Wales side. Bellamy said: "From
what I have seen of Freddy he is a good addition to our squad, but I do not
know too much more about him. "He certainly has made an impression recently.
He was released by West Ham, and maybe he has used that to motivate himself,
if so he has done a very decent job and is making a good reputation for
himself."
Bellamy and midfielder David Vaughan are likely to be the only changes in
the Wales side after their defeat by the Germans. Bellamy is back in the
fold after his baby daughter's sickness, and will effectively replace Jason
Koumas, who is out with an ankle problem. Vaughan, who also missed the 2-0
defeat by Germany, has joined up with the squad after playing for his new
club Real Sociedad on Sunday. Gareth Bale is expected to switch to
left-back, with Joe Ledley dropping to the bench. Boss John Toshack still
believes his side can finish third in Group D, and said: "Anything other
than the Germans and the Czechs qualifying now would be a surprise. When the
draw was made they were the teams expected to go through. "We still think we
can finish third. We now have three away games, here, Cyprus and San Marino,
and we have to look for nine points. Starting here. "From our position third
spot would be a tremendous achievement, but we have to aim at that. "I do
not think it is beyond us, anything else probably is. We must get nine
points from our next three before we finish with tough ones against the
Irish and Germans."
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Kip kip hooray for Bellamy - The Sun
From JANINE SELF in Bratislava
September 12, 2007
CRAIG BELLAMY admits he is still catching up on sleep following his baby's
health scare. The Wales striker missed the 2-0 loss to Germany on Saturday
through complications with his daughter's birth. But Lexi was given the
all-clear on Monday — allowing Bellamy to fly out to Slovakia for tonight's
Group D clash. Bellamy, 28, said: "I love football but my wife and kids mean
more. "Everything is OK and it's a case of catching up on sleep and food."
WALES (likely): Hennessey, Ricketts, Collins, Gabbidon, Nyatanga, Bale,
Davies, Robinson, Vaughan, Eastwood, Bellamy.
TV: Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm.
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Proud moment awaits Craig Bellamy - Telegraph
By John Ley in Bratislava
Last Updated: 1:51am BST 12/09/2007
It was 102 days since Ryan Giggs symbolically handed over the Wales
captain's armband to Craig Bellamy on the Millennium Stadium pitch. Tonight,
at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium in Trnava, the West Ham striker finally gets
to lead his country. Sadly for Bellamy, the night could signal the official
end of Welsh hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals. Defeat here
against Slovakia coupled with a win for the Czech Republic over Ireland
would confirm that Wales, with four games to play in Group D, will have
again failed to reach the finals of a major tournament.
Bellamy missed the friendly win in Bulgaria when his wife, Claire, went in
to the early stages of labour and then, at the last moment, the 28-year-old
pulled out of Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Germany following feeding
complications with the baby, named Lexi. Now that the baby is out of danger,
Bellamy returns. "I've been blessed with a baby girl, but there were a few
complications. Everyone knows how passionate I am about football but my wife
and kids mean a lot more," he said.
Wales lost 5-1 to Slovakia in Cardiff in October and Bellamy added: "We need
to try to win as many games as we can." Slovakia should be unchanged from
the team that drew 2-2 with Ireland on Saturday. Wales replace Jason Koumas
with Bellamy while David Vaughan comes in for Joe Ledley.
Team details
Slovakia (probable, 4-1-3-2): Senecky; Krajcik, Klimpi, Durica, Cech;
Hamsik; Sestak, Spara, Gesko; Kolosko, Mintal.
Wales (probable, 5-3-2): Hennessey (Wolves); Ricketts (Gill), J Collins
(West Ham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Nyatanga (Barnsley), Bale (Tottenham);
Davies (Fulham), Robinson (Toronto), Vaughan (Real Sociedad); Eastwood
(Wolves), Bellamy (West Ham).
Referee: L Duhamel (France).
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West Ham's Bellamy gets baby all-clear
tribalfooball.com - September 11, 2007
West Ham and Wales striker Craig Bellamy is riding high after his baby's
health scare. The Wales striker missed the 2-0 loss to Germany on Saturday
through complications with his daughter's birth. But Lexi was given the
all-clear on Monday - allowing Bellamy to fly out to Slovakia for tonight's
Group D clash.
Bellamy, 28, said: "I love football but my wife and kids mean more.
"Everything is OK and it's a case of catching up on sleep and food."
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Parker makes successful West Ham return
tribalfooball.com - September 11, 2007
Scott Parker had 80 minutes of action for West Ham in yesterday's
closed-doors friendly against Colchester. Also playing was Calum Davenport,
who has just recovered from a hernia operation, and Dean Ashton also made
the most of the opportunity to step up his sharpness by playing the full
game. Parker came off the field after 80 minutes and seemed to suffer no ill
effects in what was his first run-out since injuring his knee in the summer.
Ashton finished the match strongly as did Dailly and Davenport as Hammers
boss Alan Curbishley looked on from the stands for the 2-2 draw.
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Collins: Bellamy main man at West Ham
tribalfooball.com - September 11, 2007
James Collins has hailed the impact Wales teammate Craig Bellamy has made at
West Ham United. He said: "Craig has been fantastic from the day he joined
West Ham. Me and Gabbs knew how good he is and the boys at West Ham are
seeing the real Craig Bellamy. He's scoring goals, setting up goals and
doing everything me and Gabbs knew he could. "He's the main man at West Ham,
maybe he was only a squad player at Liverpool. He is an influential player
on and off the pitch. "He is a big character and it is great to have him in
our squad. West Ham are reaping the benefits of paying £8million for him."
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QPR extend deal for West Ham's Ephraim
tribalfooball.com - September 11, 2007
West Ham midfielder Hogan Ephraim has agreed to extend his loan period at
Championship side QPR until October 8. The 19-year-old initially agreed a
one-month loan deal with Rangers, but boss John Gregory has persuaded his
parent club to allow the starlet to remain at Loftus Road for a further
month. "Hogan is a quality player," Gregory told the club's official
website. "He's very versatile and has a good footballing brain for one so
young. "He's come in at a hugely difficult time for everyone connected to
the club, but I'm sure we'll get to see the very best of him over the next
month."
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Collins wants West Ham stay
tribalfooball.com - September 11, 2007
James Collins has vowed to fight for his place at West Ham and ruled out any
thoughts of going on loan from the Upton Park club. The Wales international
has been with his national team this week for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with
Germany and Slovakia, and won his 20th cap last Saturday in the 2-0 defeat
by the Germans in Cardiff. That was the first full senior match 24 year-old
Collins had played this season after a calf injury at the beginning of
pre-season training meant he has missed out so far this term. He said: "I am
not interested in a loan at the moment; I want to prove myself at West Ham
and win my place back.
"I can do with any minutes on the pitch I can get at the moment, it has been
a very unlucky start to the season for me after how well last season
finished," Collins said. "I was in the side that avoided relegation and just
wanted to start this season the way the last one had ended, but I picked up
a calf injury right at the beginning of pre-season training and it has held
me back. "It has kept me out of the West Ham team, and now they are playing
well at the back it is going to be a fight for me to get myself into the
side. "That is what football is all about, you must enjoy the challenge of
such things."
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Parker hits the comeback trail today - WestHamOnline
North Bank - Tue Sep 11 2007
Scott Parker hopes to prove his fitness to Alan Curbishley in a
behind-closed-doors game with local side Colchester today. It'll be his
first game since injuring his kneee pre-season and although it's good news,
saturday's game against boring Boro may come too soon. Freddie Ljungberg is
set to return to full training tomorrow after being sidelined by a thigh
injury, which has kept him out of the side since the opening day of the
Season.
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Portsmouth, West Ham to check on Gudjohnsen
tribalfooball.com - September 11, 2007
Premiership scouts will be in abundance for Northern Ireland's Euro2008
qualifier against Iceland tomorrow night in Belfast. Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen has been passed fit to play for Iceland and tomorrow evening will
represent perhaps the only time Premiership clubs will get to see him in
action before the January market. Gudjohnsen has been informed by Barca
coach Frank Rijkaard that he's unlikely to play this season if he stays in
Spain and the likes of Portsmouth, West Ham, Newcastle and Manchester City
are all eager to bring the former Chelsea man back to England when the
market reopens.
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Injured West Ham star heads home for treatment - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:03pm on 11th September 2007
West Ham's crocked winger Julien Faubert has returned to France to continue
his recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered during
pre-season.
The £6m summer signing is set to have a cast removed from his ankle this
week.
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Neill Is Given Backing By Curbs At West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 11 September, 2007 - 11:10.
Lucas Neill has been given the backing of West Ham manager Alan Curbishley
in his quest to lead out the Socceroos against Argentina at the MCG in
Australia. Tuesday's re arranged friendly will be played in front of 80.000
people and Neill will be able to cement the role of captain ahead of
Newcastle's Mark Viduka. There had been reports that the club were unhappy
with Neill flying around the World for a friendly but that is not the case.
Curbs was clearly intent on supporting his captain's actions and when asked
about the club v country question said "It is an honour to play for your
country, it is what all top players want to do and we are proud that Lucas
will be captaining his country against Argentina".
Fans will just have to have their fingers crossed and hope that all players
with International obligations return fit and unscathed, but don't expect
Lucas to look any worse than ex-Hammer Carlos Tevez who will be playing for
Argentina in the same game, even Alex Ferguson wasn't able to make the
little hit man 'take a sicky' as he usually manages with his International
players when it comes to friendlies! - Ed
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