Craig Bellamy is hoping to hit the ground running in pre-season by taking
part in two Wales friendlies.
15.05.2008
Craig Bellamy has been recalled by Wales for the friendlies away to Iceland
and the Netherlands on 28 May and 1 June respectively.
The international captain has not played competitively since 2 February with
an abdominal problem but has been training with Cardiff City since the end
of the season as he nears fitness. The striker's club-mate Jack Collison,
still only 19, has also been selected for the first time while Danny
Gabbidon (groin) and James Collins (knee) are still on the long-term injured
list at Chadwell Heath.
Speaking last week at a fans' forum at the Boleyn Ground, Bellamy revealed
his determination to be raring to go for the start of the 2008/09 campaign.
He said: "Wales have got a couple of games and hopefully I will be able to
play in them ... I can train off the back of that and come into pre-season
in really good shape. I am going to attack pre-season and really start off
next season in as good form as I can. By playing these games for Wales I
will be able to do that."
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Collison furthers Welsh experience - WHUFC
Reserve-team captain Jack Collison made another appearance for Brian Flynn's
side on Thursday
15.05.2008
Jack Collison was part of the Wales team that lost 2-0 to England in an
Under-21 friendly on Thursday night.
The 19-year-old midfielder, watched by club legend Sir Trevor Brooking who
was at the game in Wrexham in his FA capacity as director of football
development, played the whole 90 minutes. England scored both goals in the
first half, with a penalty from Tom Huddlestone being followed by a
deflected Theo Walcott effort. Huddlestone was only in the squad as a
replacement for Mark Noble, who was withdrawn earlier this week with back
and hamstring trouble.
Collison may have been on the losing side but he was cheered earlier in the
day by confirmation of his inclusion in the senior Wales squad for the first
time. The reserve-team captain, who made two appearances for West Ham United
this season, was named in a 35-man squad to face Iceland on 28 May and then
the might of the Netherlands on 1 June. Wales captain Craig Bellamy was also
included as he returns from an abdominal injury while both Danny Gabbidon
and James Collins remain sidelined.
With regard to the Under-21 set-up, Wales used the England game as a warm-up
for their final two 2009 Euro qualifiers at home to Romania on 20 August
before concluding their campaign with the return trip to the eastern
European nation on 10 September. The Welsh have a four-point advantage on
Romania, who have a game in hand, and France with only the section winners
progressing to October's play-offs for the finals. Collison has been capped
five times at that level, with two goals.
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Call-up for United duo - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 15th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison has been named in the full Welsh squad for the first time -
whilst Craig Bellamy is named for the first time this year. Welsh boss John
Toshack named his latest squad - for the forthcoming friendlies against
Iceland and Holland - earlier this afternoon, and the two Hammers were both
included.
Collison - who is expected to start for the under 21s against their English
counterparts in tonight's friendly - is set to make his debut having made
just two appearances for United's first team. Meanwhile Bellamy has proved
his fitness by spending the last week trianing with FA Cup finalists Cardiff
City. Wales face Iceland in Reykjavik on Wednesday, 28th May (7:30pm kick
off local time). Four days later they face European Championship qualifiers
Holland in Rotterdam (3:00pm kick off local time). In other international
news, Freddie Ljungberg has - as expected - been named in the Swedish squad
for the forthcoming European Championships.
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Oh Sienna - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 15th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Sienna chiarman Giovanni Lombardi Stronati has pleaded with Davide Lanzafame
to reject West Ham's overtures in order to remain in Italy. Stronarti is
attempting to lure the Juve striker to Serie A strugglers Sienna for next
season's campaign - although he believes that United remain the strong
favourites to capture the Italian under-21 on loan. Talking to Mediagol, he
said: "The real problem is that Lanzafame has received a resounding offer
from West Ham.
"It must be for the player to decide what is best for him – to remain in
Italy and grow gradually, as I believe Siena will allow, or to earn more
money immediately with major risks. "Young people in Italy perhaps are
convinced there will be more opportunities abroad, but that is not always
the case."
News of West Ham's interest in Lanzafame broke earlier this week. The deal
to bring him to the Boleyn Ground is understood to be the work of new
technical director Gianluca Nani, who officially takes up his post at the
beginning of June.
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Marked man? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 15th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Today's Daily Mail is linking the Hammers with a move for Palermo's Mark
Bresciano. The Australian midfielder played for the Italians against United
in the UEFA Cup last season, and is being linked with a £4m switch to East
London. Bresciano, 28, joined the Italians in 2006 having spent the previous
four years with Parma. He began his career in his home country before
moving to Italy nine years ago after he was plucked from obscurity by then
Serie B outfit Empoli. Bresciano has made more than 40 appearances for the
Socceroos, scoring 10 goals in the process.
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Bellamy set for milestone - SSN
Hammers striker handed Welsh call-up
By Chris Burton Last updated: 15th May 2008
Craig Bellamy is set to end a seven-month spell on the sidelines by winning
his 50th cap for Wales. The West Ham striker has managed just eight
appearances in the Premier League this season after struggling with stomach
and groin complaints. However, now back to full fitness, he has been
included in John Toshack's 35-man 'A' squad for upcoming friendlies against
Iceland on 28th May and Holland 1st June. Six uncapped players have also
been called up, with Bellamy's young team-mate at Upton Park Jack Collison
among them.
Wales 'A' squad in full:
Hennessey (Wolves), Myhill (Hull), Price (Ipswich), Blake (Cardiff), Eardley
(Oldham), Steve Evans (Wrexham), Gunter (Tottenham), Jacobson (Bristol
Rovers), Morgan (Peterborough), Nyatanga (Derby), Ricketts (Hull), Williams
(Stockport), Collison (West Ham), Crofts (Gillingham), Arron Davies
(Nottingham Forest), Simon Davies (Fulham), Edwards (Wolves), Fletcher
(Crystal Palace), Mark Jones (Wrexham), Owain Tudur Jones (Swansea), Koumas
(Wigan), Ledley (Cardiff), Parry (Cardiff), Ramsey (Cardiff), Robinson
(Toronto FC), Stock (Doncaster), Vaughan (Real Sociedad), Bellamy (West
Ham), Cotterill (Wigan), Craig Davies (Oldham), Easter (Plymouth), Eastwood
(Wolves), Ched Evans (Manchester City), Nardiello (QPR), Vokes
(Bournemouth).
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Hammers move in with £6m offer for Dunne - independent.ie
By Gary Jacob
Friday May 16 2008
WEST Ham United have tried to exploit the growing turmoil at Manchester City
by making an offer of up to £6m for Richard Dunne. Alan Curbishley's move to
strengthen the centre of his defence was not thought to be a priority for
the summer, but the West Ham manager appears to have lost patience with
Anton Ferdinand, who has been made available for transfer. West Ham have
been encouraged that Thaksin Shinawatra, the City owner, is planning a
clear-out of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad. The Swede's possible departure as
manager and upheaval at the City of Manchester Stadium appears to have
angered Dunne, who has attracted attention from Newcastle United and
Tottenham Hotspur. The 28-year-old Ireland defender has a year left on his
contract, which makes City's £8m valuation inflated. West Ham refused
Ferdinand's request to leave Upton Park last summer, but they would be open
to offers, with teams such as Newcastle, Portsmouth and Tottenham
interested.City are a club in disarray as they continue their end-of-season
visit to Thailand and Hong Kong with Eriksson firmly expecting that he will
be dismissed when he meets the City owner. Thaksin is preparing to offload
not only the "dead wood" players such as Andreas Isaksson, Darius Vassell,
Georgios Samaras and Paul Dickov but also many of last summer's signings,
such as Rolando Bianchi -- who spent the second half of the season on loan
to Lazio -- Valeri Bojinov, Javier Garrido and Geovanni. Eriksson is already
looking for a new job, but is understood to be ready to turn down positions
with Benfica and Mexico, with a "much bigger job" believed to be in the
pipeline.
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Neill unlikely starter against Iraq - foxsports.com.au
By Marco Monteverde
May 16, 2008 AUSTRALIA defender Lucas Neill is at long odds to play in the
World Cup qualifier against Iraq at Suncorp Stadium on June 1, because of
the impending birth of his child. Mile Sterjovski, in a similar situation,
meanwhile remains confident the birth of his baby would not stop him playing
in Brisbane, but Neill is in serious doubt for the contest. Sterjovski is
all but certain to miss Australia's return clash against the Iraqis in Qatar
on June 7 and the match against Qatar in Doha a week later, but he is
desperate to play a leading role at Suncorp Stadium. The Derby County
striker hopes to take Australia to the verge of the next stage of the Asian
Football Confederation qualifying campaign with a strong performance in
Brisbane. "If we win that game we'll be high on confidence," Sterjovski
said. "We need another win after that to make sure it's secure. The home
games are really important because we know that away games are going to be
quite difficult."
Sterjovski has almost forgotten what it's like to win a match since joining
Derby - dubbed the worst team in the history of the Barclays Premier League
- from Turkish club Genclerbirligi in January. The relegated Rams won just
one of their 38 games. "It's always difficult when you're not winning. We've
done our best, and obviously there are a lot of things that need to be
changed," Sterjovski said. "But I don't regret it one bit. I love the club.
I would have loved to win some games in the premiership, but it just hasn't
happened."
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Alan Curbishley makes Richard Dunne his top target - The Times
Manchester City defender targeted as Alan Curbishley decides to put Anton
Ferdinand up for sale
Gary Jacob
West Ham United have tried to exploit the growing turmoil at Manchester City
by making an offer of up to £6 million for Richard Dunne. Alan Curbishley's
move to strengthen the centre of his defence was not thought to be a
priority for the summer, but the West Ham manager appears to have lost
patience with Anton Ferdinand, who has been made available for transfer.
West Ham have been encouraged that Thaksin Shinawatra, the City owner, is
planning an extensive clear-out of Sven-Göran Eriksson's squad. The Swede's
possible departure as manager and upheaval at the City of Manchester Stadium
appears to have angered Dunne, who has attracted attention from Newcastle
United and Tottenham Hotspur. The 28-year-old Ireland defender has a year
left on his contract, which makes City's £8 million valuation inflated.
West Ham refused Ferdinand's request to leave Upton Park last summer, but
they would be open to offers, with teams such as Newcastle, Portsmouth and
Tottenham interested.
Curbishley has been given a small transfer budget, but wants to sign two
full backs. Up to ten players could leave the East London club, including
Luís Boa Morte, the winger, who has been booed by supporters.
After some criticism from fans, Curbishley has received backing from the
board, which believes that he should be given the opportunity to show his
ability when he can choose from a full-strength squad. However, Gianluca
Nani, the club's Italian technical director, has earmarked Pierpaolo Bisoli
as a potential future manager of West Ham. Bisoli came to prominence for
taking Foligno, a little-known team, into the play-offs for promotion to
Serie B, the Italian second tier.
City are a club in disarray as they continue their end-of-season visit to
Thailand and Hong Kong with Eriksson firmly expecting that he will be
dismissed when he meets the City owner.
Thaksin is preparing to offload not only the "dead wood" - players such as
Andreas Isaksson, Darius Vassell, Georgios Samaras and Paul Dickov - but
also many of last summer's signings, such as Rolando Bianchi - who spent the
second half of the season on loan to Lazio - Valeri Bojinov, Javier Garrido
and Geovanni.
Eriksson is already looking for a new job, but is understood to be ready to
turn down positions with Benfica and Mexico, with a "much bigger job"
believed to be in the pipeline.
The former England head coach is eager to have his fate resolved in a
meeting that is planned to take place with Thaksin over the weekend after a
farcical press conference in Bangkok yesterday, when the Swede and his
players did not take questions from the floor owing to the sensitivity of
their futures. Thaksin is likely to tell Eriksson in the next 48 hours that
his services are no longer required - but even then he will be asked to lead
the team into their match in Hong Kong next Thursday.
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Still Eyeing Wright - Still Singing The Blues
By Aston May 15 2008
Town manager Jim Magilton says he would still sign former Town goalkeeper
Richard Wright if the West Ham 'keeper wanted to sign for Town again. Wright
snubbed Town last summer in favour of sitting on the bench at Upton park
behind Robert Green, only to get bored and join Southampton on-loan for the
final two months, Jim also confirmed he made a move for Aston Villa 'keeper
Thomas Sorensen. Jim: "Sorensen's agent told us he was not prepared to drop
down a division and wanted to stay in the Premier League. We are not a
Premier League side yet. "If he became available and wanted to come to us we
would speak to him. "Wrighty is another, and if he wants to come and play he
would be welcomed back. "A lot of players are prepared to sit in the
reserves and not drop down and it baffles me. "We need a keeper and Stephen
Bywater is still in that equation."
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Italian talent told to shun Hammers
by Tom Adams, 15 May 2008
Siena have urged West Ham target Davide Lanzafame to snub The Hammers and
continue his footballing education in Italy. The Juventus striker is
expected to move to The Premier League on loan for next season in the first
signing orchestrated by the club's new technical director Gianluca Nani.
Lanzafame has impressed on loan at Bari in Serie B, scoring ten goals, and
it is believed that West Ham currently head the race for his signature
despite interest from the likes of Lazio and Palermo. Siena are also hoping
to take the Italy Under-21 international on loan and Giovanni Lombardi
Stronati, managing director of the Tuscan club, has pleaded with Lanzafame
to ignore the riches on offer from the London side. "The real problem is
that Lanzafame has received a resounding offer from West Ham," Stronati told
Mediagol. "Here, it must be for the player to decide what is best for him –
to remain in Italy and grow gradually, as I believe Siena will allow, or to
earn more money immediately with major risks. "Young people in Italy perhaps
are convinced there will be more opportunities abroad, but that is not
always the case."
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West Ham join interest for Man City's Dunne
tribalfootball.com - May 15, 2008
West Ham United have joined the race for Manchester City captain Richard
Dunne. Arsenal and Newcastle United are eyeing Dunne, who is said to have
become disillusioned at Eastlands over the treatment of manager Sven Goran
Eriksson. The Telegraph says the Hammers are also keen, with Dunne likely to
become available for a knockdown fee if he rejects a new contract offer this
summer.
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Hammers chase £4million Mark Bresciano - The Mirror
15/05/2008
West Ham have made an enquiry for Palermo's £4m-rated midfielder Mark
Bresciano. The Australian saw a move to Manchester City fall through last
summer but is keen on switching to the Premier League. Palermo are willing
to let him leave if the Hammers make a bid.
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Hammers stars avoid United drubbing by enjoying a day at the races - Daily
Mail ( funnily enough eh!? )
Last updated at 10:18am on 15th May 2008
Rather than share the embarrassment of their team-mates' 4-1 thrashing at
Manchester United, three of the club's injured stars — Matthew Etherington,
James Collins and Danny Gabbidon — were spotted along with former team-mate
Teddy Sheringham at Newmarket races the same afternoon.
Racecourse officials helpfully showed the Old Trafford match on a giant
screen, but the pain of not playing was clearly too much for the Hammers
trio, who were stood with their backs to the action.
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Chalvedon lad Tomka loving life at the top - Echo News
By Rob Pritchard
SIX months ago, West Ham defender James Tomkins was unknown outside Upton
Park. A regular in the Irons' reserve team, the Basildon teenager was
already marked out for great things by the Hammers' coaching staff.
Half-a-year on and things are very different. The England Under-19
international has made six promising Premier League appearances, has been
modelling the club's new sky blue away kit and been named Young Hammer of
the Year.
Tomkins told the Echo he was still struggling to come to terms with his
rapid rise to national prominence. "It's hard to put the last couple of
months into words," said the 19-year-old former Chalvedon School pupil.
"When I got my chance it came as a surprise to me but I've had to take it as
it's come and I've kept improving every game and I've loved every minute of
it. "It was good to win the award before the game against Aston Villa. "I
had to keep my mind focused on the match but to win such an award,
particularly with the players who have won it in the past, is a great
honour."
Lifelong West Ham fan Tomkins, who featured against Everton, Sunderland,
Derby, Newcastle, Manchester United and Villa, was also delighted to see the
Irons end the season above local rivals Tottenham in 10th. The top-half
finish also secured bonuses for the entire first-team squad, but the
youngster insisted money was the last thing on his mind. "The fans and all
the players are delighted to have held on to that 10th place and finished
above Tottenham because that's what the supporters love, including myself,"
he added. "It's also an extra bit of money in our pay packets, but finishing
10th was by far the most important thing. "Now I want to keep learning and
come back fit and stronger next season."
Before then Tomkins is off to Belarus next week for the European Under-19
Championship elite qualifying round, where England will take on Poland,
Serbia and Belarus. Positive results will take the Young Lions through to
the finals in the Czech Republic. "There isn't any rest for me yet," he
joked. "We're off to Belarus with England and we've got to qualify for the
European Under-19 Championships in July. "I'm just going to keep trying to
improve and use the experience I've gained with West Ham when I play for
England."
MARK Noble and former Grays star Michael Kightly have pulled out of
tonight's England Under-21 friendly with Wales in Wrexham tonight through
injury.
However, West Ham's Jack Collison will be in the Welsh line-up and is
expected to receive his first full international call-up for next week's
friendlies in Iceland and the Netherlands.
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Ashton wants West Ham to keep word
tribalfootball.com - May 15, 2008
Dean Ashton is sweating on what sort of new contract offer West Ham are
willing to make after planned negotiations were confirmed by the club this
week. The Times says Ashton has asked the club to honour the undertaking
that they made in January to give him an improved contract if he performed
well this season. Portsmouth, Newcastle United and Manchester City are
interested in signing the 24-year-old, who has two years left on his
existing deal.
Ashton is paid about £25,000 a week, which is significantly lower than the
wages being paid to many of the players signed by the club in the past year
who earn in excess of £60,000.
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