Bobby Zamora, Julien Faubert and Nolberto Solano are among the increased
options for Alan Curbishley
18.02.2008
West Ham United return to full training this week after a few days' rest
with the likes of Bobby Zamora, Julien Faubert and Nolberto Solano pushing
hard for first-team recalls.
Head physiotherapist George Cooper has been very pleased with Zamora and
Faubert's progress, as demonstrated by their match-winning contributions
over 90 minutes for the reserves in the 4-1 defeat of Birmingham City last
week. Cooper also had positive news on the efforts being made by Scott
Parker and Kieron Dyer, having revealed optimistic news on defenders James
Collins and Calum Davenport last week.
Zamora had not played a whole game since 28 August with a persistent knee
injury that had continued to swell up. Having undergone extensive
rehabilitation with the club's medical staff, he is closing on a first-team
return. "He is strong as an ox now," said Cooper. "His legs are really good
and he is in good nick. Bobby is always in early, has been working very hard
and been very patient. It looks to have paid off. His running fitness is as
good as anybody's at the club, if not better."
The 27-year-old will provide extra competition for a forward line already
boasting Dean Ashton, Henri Camara, Carlton Cole and Luis Boa Morte, with
the latter only missing out on the last reserve game as his wife was giving
birth. Craig Bellamy will be sidelined for some time though as he is due to
have an abdominal strengthening operation to complement the core work he has
been doing as he battles back to fitness - having felt not quite right after
a friendly game on 4 February.
"He has been absolutely brilliant," added Cooper. "Everything he has done
has got him back to almost being ready and there is a feeling that if he
carries on with slight symptoms they are likely to get worse rather than
better. The symptoms have to go. The operation will complement the excellent
work he has done before and that should be the last bit he needs before
continuing his strengthening."
Faubert returned to action with three assists against Birmingham having been
handled carefully in the previous two weeks because of tightness in his
calves, although Cooper stressed he was not injured. He like Solano, who has
recovered from a hamstring problem, is back to full fitness and in
contention for the games to come. Equally positively, the duo could soon be
joined in the battle for midfield places by Parker.
The England international has "totally recovered from his posterior capsule
rupture" with Cooper adding that "we are extremely pleased". The midfielder,
who was hurt in an innocuous challenge against Manchester United on 29
December, a problem unrelated to any previous knee problem, has started his
running programme and could be back in full training in a fortnight.
Elsewhere, Dyer continues to make "excellent progress" from his double leg
break and is also running, although it is too early to set a date on his
return while Danny Gabbidon is being treated for a persistent groin problem.
With several names due to return in due course, Cooper also had a word for
the likes of Matthew Upson and Freddie Ljungberg who have gone from strength
to strength in the first team after putting in plenty of hours at Chadwell
Heath. "Matthew has done really well as we can all see by his progress with
England while Freddie is a massive success story. He is has worked so hard
and is playing well, chasing back and tackling throughout the whole 90
minutes."
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Bobby returns - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 18th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Bobby Zamora is expected to lineup for the reserves again this Wednesday as
he continues his rehabilitation process. The Hammers striker notched a
hat-trick in West Ham's 4-1 win over Norwich last week and is likely to
return again for the stiffs this Wednesday night, when Kevin Keen's side
take on Fulham at Bishops Stortford. Zamora stressed last week that he
didn't want to rush his return, although Alan Curbishley will be hoping that
comes sooner rather than later as strike partner Craig Bellamy is almost
certainly out for the rest of the season. The game kicks-off at 7pm; a win
for the Hammers could take them into second spot in the Barclays Premier
Reserve League (South).
West Ham United reserves: Next fixture
Wednesday, 20th February
West Ham United Reserves v Fulham Reserves
Venue: Bishops Stortford FC
Referee: S.Tomlinson
Kick Off: 7pm
Barclays Premier Reserve League (South) - current table
1. Aston Villa P11 Pts26 GD+23
2. Reading P10 Pts21 GD+16
3. West Ham Utd P12 Pts19 GD+10
4. Fulham P11 Pts18 GD+1
5. Birmingham City P12 Pts18 GD-6
6. Arsenal P11 Pts17 GD+1
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Upson honours Moore's memory - Setanta
by Toby Davis, 18 February 2008
Matthew Upson has spoken of his pride at wearing Bobby Moore's famous number
six shirt for West Ham. Next Sunday will be 15 years since the former West
Ham and England legend passed away, and Upson is delighted to be able to
follow in his footsteps. "It's a big honour," he said in West Ham's
matchday programme. "Sometimes I do sit at home and think about it and I get
a little buzz, because it's a big honour." After missing last season's
relegation battle through injury, Upson hopes he can now show the Upton Park
fans what he is capable of. "It's only just beginning at West Ham," he
added. "I want to give some very good years in my career to West Ham and I
feel I am coming into my prime."
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West Ham's Noble keen to play catch up
By Guardian-series
MIDFIELDER Mark Noble insists West Ham must make amends for poor recent
results by claiming a much-needed victory at Fulham on Saturday. The Hammers
travel to Craven Cottage for the last of three consecutive games against
sides struggling at the bottom of the Premier League. However, far from
proving fruitful, the Hammers have taken just one point from the run - a 1-0
defeat away at Wigan was followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham -
which has dented the club's bid to break into the top six. "We need to take
the points from these games," said Noble, who was withdrawn in the warm up
from the squad to face Birmingham because of fatigue. "They are the games
that are going to get you in the European places. "Fulham away next is going
to be a tough game. They got an unlikely win against Aston Villa so we need
to go there with a strong team and put a performance in. "It is important
that we keep playing and getting results."
West Ham currently occupy tenth place in the table with 37 points and are
nicely poised to make a challenge for a UEFA Cup spot during the remainder
of the season. With 13 Premier League games to go, they need to pick up at
least seven wins (58 points was enough for sixth-place Everton to get into
Europe last season) and Noble believes that the heroics of last season -
when the Hammers won seven of their last nine games to avoid relegation -
will stand them in good stead. "We need to push on and get in them European
places and we have nothing to lose," he said. "It is a similar to last
season at this stage. "Everyone thought we were down so we can just crack on
now and really give everything we have got to put the points on the table
because that is the most important thing. "If we do that I am sure we can
consolidate and keep on catching everyone up."
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old admitted he was delighted to be voted the
whufc.com player of the month for January. Notably his performance against
Liverpool - in which he covered 13km and scored the last-gasp winner from
the penalty spot - went some way to swaying the supporters' votes in the
online poll. Noble (pictured) said: "To beat Liverpool at home summed up a
good month. "I am over the moon that the fans have appreciated the way I
have been playing lately and they are enjoying my performances."
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Rumours: Tottenham to battle West Ham for £15m Chelsea pair -Sportigo
Mon, Feb 18, 08 15:41 Mark Apostolou
'Bridge and Sidwell are good players who just need more of a chance at
Premier League football'Steve Sidwell must have known that when he moved to
Stamford Bridge he would struggle to oust the world-class talent in front of
him. Still, I am sure he is earning lots of money at Chelsea!
Now it appears that the 25-year-old ex-Reading and Arsenal player may on his
way out. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is apparently keen to pick up the £8m
rated midfielder (The People) and Tottenham's Juande Ramos is also
monitoring the situation. Add to this speculation that the Upton Park boss
also wants another supposed Spurs target, full-back Wayne Bridge, and you
have a mammoth battle between the two London sides for the Blues pair.
Obviously there is no love lost between these three sides, and it will be
interesting to see how this triangle of transfer activity develops. Clearly
Sidwell with have England ambitions and playing in the reserves and Carling
Cup won't impress Fabio Capello. Therefore a move is inevitable for Sidwell.
Bridge is in a slightly different boat but has similar problems in terms of
imposing himself as a regular first-team starter for Avram Grant. Bridge and
Sidwell are good players who just need more of a chance at Premier League
football. Both West Ham and Tottenham are more likely to offer them a decent
chance of top-level appearances.
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West Ham excited by Stanislaus progress
tribalfooball.com - February 18, 2008
West Ham United management are convinced they have a future world-beater on
their hands in winger Junior Stanislas. "He is on the fringes of the England
(U19) squad," academy chief Tony Carr told whufc.com. "He's got a little bit
to do to force himself into the team."
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West Ham kid N'Gala happy with Weymouth spell
tribalfootball.com - February 18, 2008
West Ham United prospect Bondz N'Gala was happy with his spell on-loan at
Weymouth earlier this season. "It has helped me playing competitive football
elsewhere," the teenage defender told WHUTV. "I have grown up a bit more. I
had to grow up quick in that league. It is a bit different to being here -
they play the ball a bit long more, you have got to get used to it. There
was more heading for me. It was good."
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West Ham's Upson backing youngsters Spence, Tomkins
tribalfooball.com - February 18, 2008
West Ham United's England defender Matthew Upson has identified two
youngsters at the Academy as ones to watch. Upson is convinced Jordan Spence
and James Tomkins are set to stake a claim in future, telling the West Ham
matchday programme: "Tomka's showed some real talent and understanding of
the position. Jordan looks very good too. He's trained with us a few times
and he looks a really good athlete. He's got a good athletic build. There
are some good young prospects coming through."
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