Bobby Zamora showed he is on the way back with a superbly-taken treble for
the reserves on Tuesday night
12.02.2008
West Ham United reserves 4-1 Birmingham City reserves
Bobby Zamora scored a hat-trick as West Ham United came from behind to
record an emphatic victory at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday night.
Having notched a goal in a friendly game against Queen's Park Rangers last
week, Zamora showed he is getting back towards full fitness with a
finely-taken treble in an all-action performance over 90 minutes. All three
goals came in the final half-hour of the contest after reserve-team captain
Jack Collison had cancelled out Stefan Milojevic's opener just before
half-time.
Kevin Keen had a strong squad to choose from, with Jimmy Walker in goal,
Jonathan Spector at left-back and Julien Faubert on the right-side of
midfield. It was Zamora who had most of the attention however, on his first
proper outing since a Carling Cup game away to Bristol Rovers on 28 August.
Birmingham also had five first-teamers on view - including Dutch U21
attacker Daniel De Ridder and Argentinian sensation Mauro Zarate.
The first half was a cagey affair on a bitterly cold evening, with Zamora
showing up well alongside young forward Zavon Hines. It was Birmingham who
had the early efforts, however, with both De Ridder and Zarate testing
Walker early on. In the 14th minute, inventive play from Zamora saw Faubert
cut in from the right only to be denied by a last-ditch block as he made
inroads.
The home side's first real effort came on 18 minutes when Spector found
himself unmarked in the centre of goal, only for his header to go straight
at Colin Doyle. It was the 26th minute before Zamora first tried his luck.
His dipping half-volley from 30 yards had the crowd willing it goalwards but
it sailed just past Doyle's left-hand post at the last moment.
Both teams continued to press forward with Zarate and Zamora the focal
points for their respective sides. That said, Birmingham's best chance of
the half came from the unlikely source of defender Jared Wilson, who had
nipped in behind the Hammers defence. His shot was saved well by Walker
although the resulting corner was to prove costly. From it, Milojevic was
allowed to head goalwards and his effort crashed against the post and beyond
Walker, who had little chance from close range.
Collison soon drew the hosts level two minutes before half-time. A sweeping
move involving Zamora and Faubert finished with the France winger sliding in
Collison to fire low under Doyle's body from a tight angle. With Hines off
for Junior Stanislas in the second half, it was all West Ham United from
then on with Keen switching the formation to a 4-5-1 that featured Zamora in
the lone striker's role.
First, Faubert hit the post after Stanislas saw virtually his first touch
force a great save from Doyle. Then Collison headed over from right-back
Jordan Spence's fine cross. After that James Tomkins, impressive alongside
Bondz N'Gala, tried his luck with a header and then Spector tricked his way
into the penalty area and unleashed a shot that was blocked at the last
moment. A second goal was coming and, in the 58th minute, Zamora did well to
hold off two defenders before swivelling on the spot and firing firmly
beyond Doyle.
He had his second seven minutes later, thanks to Faubert's second assist of
the night. The 24-year-old sped along the right and sent in a whipped cross
to the near post that Zamora flicked with great skill beyond Doyle. Aside
from an 82nd-minute rasping shot from Schmitz, the home team were able to
defend with relative comfort after taking the two-goal initiative but the
crowd were willing Zamora to get his hat-trick.
It duly came in added time. Faubert, who was outstanding along with captain
Collison, made it a hat-trick of assists with another superb cross from the
right. This time he lofted it for Zamora to rise and power a header beyond
the despairing Doyle. His third goal earned the biggest cheer of the night
and suggested that the fans' favourite is not too far away from a first-team
return.
West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Jonathan Spector, Julien Faubert, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Kyel Reid,
Bobby Zamora, Zavon Hines (Junior Stanislas 46, Lee Hales 82)
Subs (from): Adam Street, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Freddie Sears, Jack Jeffery
Birmingham City: Colin Doyle, Stuart Parnaby, David Joyce, Rafael Schmitz,
Jared Wilson, Jordon Mutch, Daniel De Ridder, Mitchell McPike, Stefan
Milojevic (James O'Brien 67), Mauro Zarate, Semih Aydilek (Jake Jarvis 77)
Subs: Dean Lyness, Sean Hunt, Jacob Rowe
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Reserves 4-1 Birmingham City FT - WHUFC
A Bobby Zamora hat-trick stood out on his return to reserve-team action at
the Boleyn Ground
12.02.2008
Barclays Premier Reserve League 7pm
Referee: N Kinseley
FINAL SCORE - 4-1
90min - GOAL! Hat-trick for Zamora. Faubert does brilliantly again to pick
out the No9 and his header is perfectly placed into the corner. The
Birmingham defence were nowhere and Doyle couldn't get near it.
90min - We are playing two minutes of added time
89min - Collison takes a whack in the face. The captain has led by example
this evening.
87min - Tomkins blocks a shot from Mutch. Birmingham are desperately looking
for a goal back but the home defence has stood firm this half.
85min - Spence does well to clear after Birmingham pressure on the left
wing. The young defender has done well at full-back tonight.
82min - Lee Hales is on for substitute Stanislas. Soon afterwards, Walker
does well to hold a rasping shot from Schmitz.
81min - Faubert crosses again from the right but this time Doyle claims.
79min - Spence fizzes in a lovely cross from the right that just eludes
Zamora. That pass was perfectly weighted.
77min - Jake Jarvis is about to come on for Birmingham's Semih Aydilek.
75min - We have started again. Stokes again goes over after a challenge by
Zarate. Zamora does well to hold off Schmitz and get the Hammers attack
going again.
72min - The game has become a bit scrappy. Stokes is on the floor getting
treatment after a heavy landing following a header.
67min - James O'Brien is on for Birmingham goalscorer Milojevic. At the
moment it looks like Zamora could get his hat-trick sooner rather than
later.
65min - GOAL! - Zamora gets his second and what a good team goal it was.
Faubert sped along the right, whipped the ball into the near post and Zamora
flicked the ball effortlessly beyond Doyle. Check that one out later on
WHUTV!
62min - Zamora has done well in the lone striker's role, despite the
attentions of Rafael Schmitz, who has played plenty of first-team football
this season.
60min - Collison surges forward after tidy approach play involving Reid. He
always looks for goal when picking up possession in central midfield.
58min - GOAL! - Zamora scores a great goal on his reserve-team comeback.
Despite the close attention of two defenders, he showed good close control
before swivelling on the spot and smashing the ball past Doyle. A huge cheer
greeted that strike.
56min - Reid does brilliantly on the left before feeding the overlapping
Spector. The American tries a trick and finds himself inside the penalty
area with the goal at his mercy. His fierce shot is blocked on its way
through.
55min - Stanislas has looked lively since coming on and he wins a corner
after a surge up the right. From the resulting corner, Faubert picks out
Tomkins but he cannot direct his header on target.
52min - De Ridder plays in a free-kick from the left. Stokes flings himself
at the ball and gets the ball away. Mutch then fires in a shot that Walkers
palms to safety.
50min - Faubert shows great bravery to win a 50-50 challenge. He then feeds
Zamora but Birmingham get the danger away.
49min - Semih Aydilek wins a free-kick on the left. De Ridder takes it and
Walker is unable to claim the cross. The move breaks down when Zarate's shot
trickles wide.
48min - Collison heads over the goal, this time from Spence's cross. It is
all West Ham United now.
47min - Faubert hits the post but did well to get to the ball on the edge of
the area. The chance came about after Stanislas forced a good save from
Doyle after Reid's deep cross. Faubert's corner is then headed wide by Tony
Stokes.
46min - Birmingham get the second half under way. Kevin Keen has brought on
Junior Stanislas for Zavon Hines. It looks like the Hammers will play a
4-5-1 formation with Zamora as the lone target man.
HALF-TIME - 1-1
45min - We are playing one minute of added time.
44min - Faubert does brilliantly to clear in the right-back position. Reid
races away and sets Zamora free but Birmingham are able to get the danger
away. On a quick counterattack, De Ridder's cross just drifts over the
crossbar.
43min - GOAL! - Collison scores from the right side of the penalty area with
a low drilled shot beneath Doyle's body. The move owed much to the attacking
invention of Zamora and Faubert, who combined beautifully.
42min - Stokes is fouled by Mutch. West Ham United are a bit unlucky to be
behind in a match that has shown plenty of competitive edge.
39min - GOAL! - Stefan Milojevic puts Birmingham in front with a close-range
header that Walker could do little about. The ball went in off the post.
38min - Jared Wilson bursts forward from the back and gets a shot on goal
from close range. A superb save from Walker denies him and the ball is
cleared for a corner.
36min - Zarate is growing in confidence. He is proving a strong test for the
home defenders.
35min - Zarate runs from his own half, before feeding De Ridder on the
right. His ball into the box looks dangerous until Collison comes back to
clear and set the Hammers away again. The move finishes with Hines failing
to connect properly with a swerving ball.
33min - Reid plays a ball into Doyle's hands from the left after strong play
again involving Zamora. This time he linked up with Collison, who is
starting to get hold of midfield.
30min - Spence wins a corner after bright approach play from Zamora and
Faubert. The young defender showed real attacking verve to get forward on
the right. The corner comes to nothing.
29min - England youth international Jordon Mutch gets the chance to shoot
from distance but the ball bobbles wide. Walker was never worried.
28min - Ex-Middlesbrough defender Stuart Parnaby combines with De Ridder on
the right but the resulting cross goes straight into Walker's hands.
27min - As Bubbles out around the Dr Martens Lower, Hines heads for goal
from Faubert's cross but again Doyle is able to save with relative ease.
26min - After good control with his chest, Zamora has a go from 30 yards
with a half-volley but his shot flies wide. The crowd enjoyed that.
25min - Tomkins and N'Gala are looking assured at the back. Jordan Spence,
another homegrown talent, is at right-back.
24min - Faubert races away across the penalty area but last-ditch defending
stops the French winger in his tracks.
23min - Just to outdo Zarate, Freddie Sears comes out to warm up sporting a
pair of bright red boots. The striker has 20 goals for the Under-18s this
season in just 15 matches and will hope to get a chance tonight.
21min - Collison strides forward and tries his luck from range. The shot
drifts wide however, and never troubled Doyle.
20min - Zarate is wearing bright orange boots, just in case you were
interested.
18min - Spector rises for a free header on the edge of the six-yard box from
Reid's corner but sends it straight into Doyle's clutches. The best chance
of the game so far for either side.
17min - Zamora shows neat footwork in the Birmingham half. The No9 is
starting to find his feet. Kyel Reid then wins a corner after bright play on
the left wing.
15min - Spector does well to tidy up just as Dutch U21 star De Ridder
threatened on the right. The American international shows composure to play
the ball forward for Zamora, who starts another attack. Birmingham then win
a free-kick but Tomkins is able to head clear.
14min - Inventive play from Zamora sets Julien Faubert away but he is
crowded out just before he can make inroads on goal.
12min - James Tomkins lofts the ball forward for Zamora but this time the
referee spots an infringement.
10min - Spector launches a free-kick towards Zamora in the penalty area but
Doyle, who played for the first team against the Hammers back in August,
again comes to claim. A speculative effort from Mitchell McPike at the other
end clears Walker's crossbar.
8min - West Ham United are playing the ball around with confidence at the
back but have yet to mount a serious foray forward. Jonathan Spector tries
to get something going from left-back but his ball forward runs through to
Doyle.
6min - Birmingham are awarded a throw-in deep in Hammers' territory. Bondz
N'Gala was surprised by the decision but it does not matter as the
Birmingham attack comes to nothing.
4min - It is already a keenly-fought contest with a number of strong
challenges. Birmingham get another chance on goal with Argentinian wonderkid
Mauro Zarate chipping goalwards but Walker saved with ease. The goalkeeper
was never troubled.
2min - Collison concedes a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Daniel De Ridder
takes but the ball goes straight through to Jimmy Walker, who claims
comfortably. The keeper sets the home team away on a quick counterattack
that finishes with Hines playing a lofted ball into the hands of Colin
Doyle.
1min - Zavon Hines and Bobby Zamora get us under way. West Ham United are
kicking towards the Centenary Stand.
KICK-OFF
6.59pm - Jack Collison leads out the West Ham United side to good applause
from the home support.
6.35pm - Both teams are out on the pitch warming up on what promise to be a
freezing but clear night at the Boleyn Ground. Goalkeeping coach Ludek
Miklosko is putting Jimmy Walker and Adam Street through their paces in
front of the Bobby Moore Stand while conditioning coach Alex Dyer works with
the rest of Kevin Keen's squad. A decent crowd is starting to assemble in
the Dr Martens Lower, meanwhile.
6pm - Bobby Zamora makes a welcome reserve-team return, while there is also
the chance for Julien Faubert to his claims. In-form youth striker Freddie
Sears is on the bench. Birmingham include senior players Colin Doyle, Stuart
Parnaby, Rafael Schmitz, Daniel De Ridder, a Dutch Under-21 star, and
Argentinian sensation Mauro Zarate. The visitors also have Semih Aydilek,
recruited from Eintracht Frankfurt, in attack.
Lineups
West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Jonathan Spector, Julien Faubert, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Kyel Reid,
Bobby Zamora, Zavon Hines (Junior Stanislas 46, Lee Hales 82)
Subs (from): Adam Street, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Freddie Sears, Jack Jeffery
Birmingham City: Colin Doyle, Stuart Parnaby, David Joyce, Rafael Schmitz,
Jared Wilson, Jordon Mutch, Daniel De Ridder, Mitchell McPike, Stefan
Milojevic (James O'Brien 67), Mauro Zarate, Semih Aydilek (Jake Jarvis 77)
Subs: Dean Lyness, Sean Hunt, Jacob Rowe
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Trials for promising youngsters - WHUFC
Boys in reception years 1, 2 and 3 are being invited to attend trials for
outfield players and goalkeepers
12.02.2008
West Ham United are staging trials for the pre-Academy Centres for outfield
players and goalkeepers at Mile End Stadium on 20 February.
The free trials will take place from 10am-12pm on Wednesday week and are for
boys in reception years 1, 2 and 3. Those attending the stadium in
Rhodeswell Road, Poplar, E14 are asked to bring football boots, shinguards
and drinks with the format being fun small-sided games on grass.
All coaches have been fully checked by the Police and Criminal Records
Bureau and hold up to date first-aid certificates. To enter your child,
please download the attached form and return to Jim Hampsheir, West Ham
United, Saville Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex, RM6 6DT.
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Bowyer red card cleared on appeal - BBC
West Ham have won their appeal against the red card shown to midfielder Lee
Bowyer in Saturday's Premier League match with Birmingham. Referee Mark
Clattenburg issued a straight red to Bowyer for an alleged two-footed
challenge on Blues captain Damien Johnson. But the Football Association
reversed the decision and the three-match suspension has been withdrawn. The
case was heard by the FA at Soho Square on Tuesday. West Ham manager Alan
Curbishley said after the 1-1 draw at Upton Park that he had asked
Clattenburg to reconsider his decision.
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Zamora the scorer - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 13th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Bobby Zamora signalled his return to action tonight with a hat-trick for the
reserves. Zamora, back in action for the first time since last August
grabbed three of West Ham's four goals in a 4-1 drubbing of Birmingham
reserves at Upton Park tonight. City - who had won the corresponding fixture
3-1 earlier in the season - opened the scoring on a chilly East End evening
through Stefan Milojevic on 39 minutes. However their lead was short-lived
as midfielder (and captain for the evening) Jack Collison restored parity
for the Hammers four minutes later with a crisp drive from the edge of the
penalty box.
Zamora notched his first of the night on 58 minutes after losing two City
defenders and firing home past City keeper Colin Doyle to put the Hammers
ahead. Just seven minutes later he doubled his personal tally for the
evening after converting a Julien Faubert cross. The win - and the
27-year-old's hat-trick - were completed in the final minute when the two
combined again, this time Zamora finishing with his head. You can find more
details from the game - including player ratings - on the KUMB.com forum
thread here.
West Ham United: Walker, Spence, Tomkins, N'Gala, Spector, Faubert, Stokes,
Collison, Reid, Zamora, Hines (Stanislas 46, Hales 82)
Subs not used: Street, Fitzgerald, Sears, Jeffery.
Birmingham City: Doyle, Parnaby, Joyce, Schmitz, Wilson, Mutch, De Ridder,
McPike, Milojevic (O'Brien 67), Zarate, Aydilek (Jarvis 77).
Subs not used: Lyness, Hunt, Rowe.
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Reprieve for Bow - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 12th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Lee Bowyer has had his red card from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham
rescinded. The FA agreed to withdraw the caution given by match offical Mark
Clattenburg for a challenge on Birmingham's Damien Johnson in the closing
stages of Saturday's game, after the Hammers lodged an appeal. Bowyer - who
had faced an instant three match ban - is now eligible once again for the
trip to Fulham on 23rd February.
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Bowyer cleared by FA - SSN
Hammers midfielder avoids three-match ban
Last updated: 12th February 2008
West Ham United midfielder Lee Bowyer has won his appeal against a
three-match suspension. Bowyer was sent off during Saturday's 1-1 draw with
Birmingham City at Upton Park following a challenge on Damien Johnson. The
Hammers appealed against referee Mark Clattenburg's decision to show a red
card for the tackle on the Birmingham skipper. An FA disciplinary commission
hearing on Tuesday upheld Bowyer's appeal, freeing the midfielder from a
ban. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had been hopeful the red card would be
rescinded after admitting his squad 'could do without' a suspension. If
Bowyer had failed with his appeal, the former Leeds man would have missed
the upcoming London derbies against Fulham, Chelsea and Tottenham.
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Ljungberg calls on the Hammers to play patient football
By Guardian-series
FREDDIE Ljungberg scored his first West Ham goal on Saturday but immediately
told his team mates to learn the art of patience. The 30-year-old capped a
bright start for the Irons by opening the scoring after seven minute against
Birmingham, only to see James McFadden equalise for the Blues soon after
from the penalty spot. The Hammers struggled to break down a resilient Blues
team from then on - despite dominating for large periods of the match - and,
as such, looked to adopt a more direct style of play. But the midfielder
believes the team need to be patient in possession for the entire 90
minutes.
"It was a great start to the game and it's nice to score a goal - but we're
disappointed we didn't win the game," Ljungberg said. "Sometimes our style
doesn't suit my game. We spoke about it after the game - even if we are
drawing or losing, we have to keep on playing. "In the first half we played
some really good football and could have scored some more goals. Even in the
second half we created some chances. "But we have to work on playing
football the whole game, even if we don't get the result."
Despite his dissatisfaction at the result, Ljungberg (pictured) revealed his
contentment at his own form. The Swedish captain has been in fine form for
the club in recent weeks and looks to have put an injury-plagued start to
his Upton Park career behind him. "Personally I have felt great for the last
one or two months," he said. "It helps to be injury free for a couple of
weeks and to train."
6:01pm Tuesday 12th February 2008
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FA overturns sending-off to put Lee Bowyer in the clear - The Times
Gary Jacob
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham United manager, has been boosted by Lee
Bowyer's successful appeal against suspension and the likely return of Scott
Parker to training next week. The FA disciplinary commission has overturned
the dismissal of Bowyer, the midfield player, for a tackle on Damien Johnson
two minutes from the end of West Ham's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City on
Saturday.
Mark Clattenburg, the referee, gave Bowyer a straight red card, which would
have meant the player being banned for matches against Fulham, Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur. The FA has decided that the tackle was not worthy even of
a yellow card.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the refereeing body, will
discuss the incident with Clattenburg to establish how he reached his
decision. The official may have had one eye on Hayden Mullins, the West Ham
midfield player, and David Murphy, the Birmingham defender, lunging at each
other in an incident that immediately preceded Bowyer's challenge.
Curbishley has also welcomed the news that Parker should return to training
next week, when the first-team players reconvene from a week off. The
midfield player has been out of action since suffering a knee injury against
Manchester United at the end of December, the third time this season that he
has been sidelined for an extended period with the problem.
Parker first suffered the injury during a pre-season tour to Austria. In
only his second match after returning, he limped off at half-time in the 1-0
defeat at home to Arsenal in September after a recurrence of the problem. He
was out for two months, even though a scan revealed that medial ligament
damage was not serious.
Curbishley hopes to have Bobby Zamora in contention for the away match
against Fulham a week on Saturday. The forward scored a hat-trick in a 4-1
victory in a reserve team match against Birmingham last night.
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Red Hot Zamora Fueled By Fabulous Faubert - westhammad.co.uk
Story by Barney French Wednesday, 13th February 2008
Bobby Zamora continued his return to first team action in emphatic fashion
tonight by scoring a superb hat-trick. Hammers' fans will also be pleased to
hear of the invention and guile of Julien Faubert, who notched himself three
assists as West Ham reserves beat Birmingham reserves 4-1 at Upton Park on
Tuesday evening. Faubert and Zamora combined excellently for the Hammers'
first goal - the french winger crossing low for Jack Collison to get in a
low shot from a tight angle. Zamora's goals came when Kevin Keen opted to
play a 4-5-1 system in the second 45, after pairing him with Zavon Hines in
the first period. On 58, Zamora found himself in an advanced position and
holding off the attentions of two defenders the Hammers striker turned on a
sixpence and fired past the goalkeeper. His second was a product of Faubert,
the winger's pacey charge along the right resulting in a fine cross which
the 27 year old striker flicked beyond the young Birmingham keeper. And to
cap off an excellent night's work, it was Faubert once again who crossed in
a glorious ball from the right for Zamora to rise and head home in the dying
seconds.
Hammers:
Walker, Spence, Tomkins, N'Gala, Spector, Faubert, Stokes, Collison, Reid,
Zamora, Hines (Stanislas 46, Hales 82)
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West Ham, Blackburn target Farfan coy on PSV future
tribalfooball.com - February 12, 2008
PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan insists he isn't thinking about
leaving in the summer. Blackburn Rovers and West Ham are chasing the Peru
international, who says: "I am not preoccupied with a transfer. "When
something starts it will first be discussed between the clubs. It's not an
issue for me. A transfer is not something which comes from the player alone,
the clubs also have their say."
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Rotherham chasing West Ham defender Widdowson
tribalfooball.com - February 12, 2008
West Ham defender Joe Widdowson is interesting Rotherham United. Millers
boss Mark Robins needs defensive cover after Stephen Brogan had a pin put in
a broken leg, and 19-year-old Widdowson is viewed as an ideal short-term
replacement.
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West Ham academy chief: Sears ready for next step
tribalfootball.com - February 12, 2008
West Ham academy chief Tony Carr says England U19 striker Freddie Sears is
ready to play regularly with the club's reserve-team.
"At our level now, Freddie is scoring an absolute minimum of one a game,"
Carr told whufc.com. "He is scoring lots and lots of goals and he is having
a good season. He is training with the first team on a regular basis now and
working with the senior players is doing him a lot of good. Obviously he is
one that we hope can push on and reproduce his form at a more senior level.
That is the key. We have had many a great youth player that can't make that
step and Fred has to show that he can replicate his form in the reserves and
then at a higher level in the future.
"I have been in football for too long to hang my hat fully on players. You
hope and you bring them along the right paths but they have to take the
opportunities when they come along. Freddie's doing that at the moment with
us, he has been playing well in training and in performances for the
reserves but certainly for next season and beyond he has got to replicate
that form with us and carry it through to more senior football."
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Zamora thumps home West Ham hat-trick
tribalfooball.com - February 12, 2008
Bobby Zamora continued his comeback at West Ham with a hat-trick for the
reserves in their 4-4 draw against Birmingham City last night.
Having notched a goal in a friendly game against Queen's Park Rangers last
week, Zamora showed he is getting back towards full fitness with a
finely-taken treble in an all-action performance over 90 minutes. All three
goals came in the final half-hour of the contest after reserve-team captain
Jack Collison had cancelled out Stefan Milojevic's opener just before
half-time.
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Bellamy out for season at West Ham
tribalfootball.com - February 12, 2008
West Ham United will be forced to plan for the rest of the season without
Craig Bellamy as the striker has been told he needs two operations, reports
The Guardian. The loss of Bellamy, who requires surgery on his knee and
groin, is another setback for West Ham's boss, Alan Curbishley. It is
another cruel blow for Bellamy who has managed only nine appearances for the
Hammers since a £7.5m move from Liverpool last July because of injury, a
move he made chiefly because he wanted to play regular first-team football.
The Welshman has regularly suffered with knee problems and needed a
career-saving operation by the renowned American surgeon, Dr Richard
Steadman, to repair ligament damage when he was at Newcastle in 2003. The
injury is not believed to be that serious this time, although it will be the
source of considerable frustration for the player. The 28-year-old had only
recently returned from a four-month lay off with an abdominal injury but was
left out of the squad against Birmingham and is expected to have his first
operation this week.
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