Wednesday, November 3

Daily WHUFC News - 3rd November 2010

Cup prices slashed again
WHUFC.com
Adult season ticket holders can see the visit of Manchester United for just
15 pounds
02.11.2010

Season ticket holders will be able to see the Carling Cup quarter-final with
Manchester United for just £15 for adults and £5 for kids. The cut-price
seats are the third time the club has slashed prices during this season's
cup adventure at the Boleyn Ground with the owners determined to reward fans
for their loyalty. The home second and fourth-round ties with Oxford United
and Stoke City also saw massive seat savings passed on to supporters. As
before, non-season ticket holders will also benefit from the significant
reduction with prices set at £20 for adults and £10 for kids for a
mouth-watering match that will take the winners to just one tie from Wembley
and February's showpiece final.

Chairman David Sullivan said: "With the promotions we are also running for
West Brom, I am delighted Manchester United have agreed to our pricing
policy for the cup. Everyone is looking forward to what should be a special
night under the lights. "This is another chance for us to give something
back to the supporters for their fantastic support. We know how important
each and every one of our fans will be in what is going to be a big month
for the club."

The selling dates have been set as follows:
Season ticket holders - Wednesday 3 November to Thursday 11 November
Club members - Friday 12 to Monday 15 November
Cup ticket history and West Brom priority* - Tuesday 16 November (personal
callers, telephone and postal only)
General sale - Wednesday 17 November onwards

* After season ticket holders and members, there will be an exclusive
selling period for anyone who has proof of purchase from the Oxford and
Stoke City cup games - with those attending West Bromwich Albion on 10
November also given access to this guaranteed priority period before general
sale.

To be eligible for the West Brom offer, fans must book in advance and retain
their ticket stub - while anyone buying multiple tickets should supply the
names for each seat. This priority chance for the cup will not apply to
anyone paying on the day on 10 November and cannot be used in conjunction
with any other offer.

All offers are subject to availability and tickets are also selling fast for
the arrival of the Barclays Premier League's surprise package this season,
so anyone interested in being at the Boleyn for either game should move fast
or face disappointment.

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Frank scores on comeback
WHUFC.com
Frank Nouble conceded that West Ham United reserves did not play to their
potential against Manchester City
02.11.2010

Frank Nouble marked his return to the claret and blue cause with a
well-taken goal in the Barclays Premier Reserve League defeat by Manchester
City. The England Under-19 striker was called back early last week from a
loan spell at Swansea City and capped his first outing by heading in the
Hammers' consolation in a 2-1 home loss at Thurrock FC's Ship Lane. Nouble,
who also recently bagged his first Football League goal in Swansea's 3-2
Championship win at Watford, admitted neither he nor his team-mates had done
enough to warrant anything out of Tuesday's match. "We didn't play too well
and individually I wasn't the best. I got the goal, which I was happy with,
but we didn't get the result which was disappointing. "We kept the ball well
but we weren't progressing enough on the pitch. Generally, though, we have
had a good start to the year so hopefully we can carry it on next time.
"Alex was disappointed because we lost the game. We need to work in training
on going forward more because we've got players who can hurt teams. We've
just got to move on."

Nouble talked positively about his loan spell at the Liberty Stadium, which
was cut short by the Hammers to bolster Avram Grant's attacking options.
The 19-year-old made six league appearances for the on-song Swans, who are
managed by his former Chelsea Academy boss Brendan Rodgers, scoring once.
"It was all right. I got a couple of appearances under my belt and got my
first league goal as well, which was good. They were winning, too, which was
good so obviously being called back early I have to see what happens now. "I
think you have to understand that you have gone to another team and the
manager has got his players who he has got to keep happy as well. He stuck
me in straight away and I think I paid him back with some good performances.
"I was a bit surprised to be called back, but you've got to be ready to
perform at any level. I wouldn't say 'No' if another opportunity came around
to go out on loan, but it's up to West Ham."

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15 pound tickets for West Brom
WHUFC.com
Season ticket holders have the exclusive chance to buy up to three extra
tickets at a reduced rate
01.11.2010

West Ham United welcome West Bromwich Albion for their next home Barclays
Premier League outing at the Boleyn Ground - and you could be there for just
£15. Season ticket holders are able to take advantage of a superb promotion
for the visit of high-fliers West Brom on Wednesday 10 November, with the
club giving them an exclusive chance to buy up to three additional tickets
for friends and family at the reduced rate of £15 each. The promotion was
originally in place for the Newcastle United match but has been extended
because some season ticket holders missed out on the strictly limited 3,000
tickets made available under the initiative. Should any season ticket
holders be wishing to sit with their relatives or mates on this occasion,
the Ticket Office will make attempts to relocate them as a one-off.

Also, anyone who buys a West Brom ticket will be given a guaranteed priority
period for the Carling Cup quarter-final tie with Manchester United, after
the exclusive selling dates for season ticket holders and members. To be
eligible, fans must book in advance of 10 November and retain their ticket
stub - while anyone buying multiple tickets should supply the names for each
seat. This priority chance for the cup will not apply to anyone paying on
the day for West Brom.

THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER OFFERS OF THIS NATURE THIS SEASON
SO THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE

As with Newcastle, the offer is first come, first served and is subject to
availability - with a maximum of 3,000 tickets once again available on this
basis. Tickets are selling fast across the board for the arrival of the
Barclays Premier League's surprise package this season, so anyone interested
in being at the Boleyn should move fast or face disappointment.

Fans should note that this match is no longer selected for live broadcast on
Sky Sports, after being moved from the original Tuesday 9 November date.
FOR ALL THE LATEST TICKET PROMOTIONS
CLICK HERE OR CALL 0871 222 2700

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Reserves 1-2 Manchester City
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's side lose out to Manchester City by the odd goal in three at
Thurrock FC's Ship Lane
02.11.2010

West Ham United reserves v Manchester City reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League
Thurrock FC, Ship Lane
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Kick-off: 2pm
Referee: Robert Whitton

Final score - West Ham United reserves 1-2 Manchester City reserves

93 mins - West Ham win back possession and Abdulla tries to find Subuola
with a long driven through ball, but he over-hits it and City clear. Moments
later, Lee finds Nouble on the edge of the box, but his pass for Subuola is
too short. Logan smashes the ball forward and referee Robert Whitton blows
for full-time.
92 mins - Mee smashes the ball forward and Spence can only flick it out for
a City throw-in. Not long to go now.
91 mins - Stech clears upfield and Nouble commits an infringement on
halfway. Valuable seconds will be lost while City take this set piece.
90 mins - Time is nearly up. We're going to have at least three more
minutes...
88 mins - Subuola fouls Tutte inside the West Ham half. Montano doesn't like
the decision and throws the ball down into the turf. He is booked for
dissent. The free-kick is over-hit and goes behind for a goal kick. A last
chance for the Hammers to find an equaliser...
86 mins - Montano does really well, winning the ball back from Wabara just
outside the penalty area before being pulled back by the defender.
Free-kick... Lee lifts the ball over and it flicks off a head to Reid. He
drops his shoulder and beats his man, but is just unable to keep the ball
in. Goal kick.
85 mins - Guidetti is fine to continue, so it's Etuhu who makes way for Omar
Elabdellaou
84 mins - City still haven't made their change. Guidetti is down and needs
the physio on. I presume City will wait to see if he can continue before
making a change.
82 mins - City are going to make their first change, but it looks like
they'll wait until after Etuhu has curled in a free-kick from about 35
yards. Etuhu lifts the ball in and Reid clears.
79 mins - That goal has given Nouble some confidence. He races forward and
chases a bit of a lost cause, but makes enough of a nuisance of himself to
force both Mee and Wabara to miss the ball. He stabs it goalwards with the
outside of his right foot, but Gonzalez blocks.
78 mins - Spence overplays at the back and City win the ball back. It spins
to Guidetti, whose shot is blocked by Stech before Brown hacks it upfield.
That's a bit of a let-off.
77 mins - Lletget sends Spector galloping down the right with a nice ball
into the American's path. He crosses the halfway line and sends the ball in
low to the edge of the penalty area, but Mee is able to hack clear
left-footed.
75 mins - The Hammers are pressing hard for an equaliser. They need to be a
little bit careful not to get caught on the break, though. Spence and Reid
combine well to deny Guidetti after he had been sent clear by Etuhu.
71 mins - GOAL! Brown gets well again and crosses dangerously, but just too
strong for the lunging Montano. Lee recovers the ball on the far side and
crosses instantly. Nouble has lost his marker and plants a firm header into
the top right-hand corner from eight yards. Good finish, and West Ham are
back in it.
70 mins - Dyer is calling on his players to move forward. Abdulla seeks out
Nouble with a long pass, but he loses out to Chantler.
69 mins - Montano gets forward well down the left, latching on to a pass
from Brown before crossing towards Nouble. Wabara is there, though, and
heads clear of the penalty area.
65 mins - GOAL! Reid will want to forget that moment in a hurry. City knock
the ball around with real patience on the edge of the penalty area. Etuhu,
Kay, Ibrahim and Guidetti are all involved before Chantler sets Helan away.
He beats Spector and crosses low. Reid slides in at the near post but can
only divert the ball past Stech.
63 mins - West Ham have gone 4-3-3. Montano is wide left and Subuola wide
right, with Lletget in the centre of midfield.
62 mins - Dyer makes a double change in midfield, replacing Kovac and Moncur
with Subuola and Lletget.
61 mins - Montano tries to break through the middle. Wabara gets to the ball
first but horribly slices his clearance into his own penalty area, where
Gonzalez is out quickly to catch the bouncing ball.
58 mins - GOAL! Ibrahim breaks the deadlock, holding off his marker and
smashing a low left-foot drive past Stech from about 16 yards out. West Ham
have it all to do now.
56 mins - City are showing more attacking intent this half. Their full-backs
and midfielders are joining in the attack far more often and it is giving
West Ham's back four plenty to think about. With both teams throwing more
men forward, the game is opening up a bit.
54 mins - Logan gets forward and makes space for Etuhu to run at the Hammers
back four. He cuts inside Moncur and sends in a cross that has Stech in two
minds. Thankfully, the ball flies out for a goal kick.
53 mins - A slip by Wabara nearly allows Nouble to latch on to Lee's through
ball, but the No5 adjusts well to head the ball into the air, giving partner
Mee time to come over and snuff out the danger.
51 mins - Montano does well, controlling Reid's high ball forward before
swapping passes with Lee and winning a corner off Chantler. Abdulla drives
the ball over, but again Gonzalez is able to catch with relative comfort.
48 mins - A slight moment of controversy. Kovac is fouled and feigns to take
the free-kick before back-heeling the ball to Reid. He puts his hand down to
stop the ball and Ibrahim claims handball, telling the referee Kovac has
already taken the free-kick. The referee disagrees and allows Reid to take
the set piece.
47 mins - Just like they did in the first half, West Ham have started
strongly and are passing the ball confidently around the midfield. Reid
tries to pick out Brown with a cross-field pass, but Logan gets a foot in to
clear for a throw.
46 mins - Kay and Ibrahim get the second half underway...

West Ham United's players emerge from the dressing rooms and are quickly
followed by their Manchester City counterparts. A number of familiar faces
are here - Avram Grant, for one! Former Luton Town striker Mick Harford is
sat just in front of me, too.

Half-time score - West Ham United reserves 0-0 Manchester City reserves

46 mins - Into added-time and West Ham fashion another shooting chance, only
for Moncur to slice his volley high and wide. Seconds later, the half-time
whistle is blown.
45 mins - That was a decent chance for the hosts. Lee turns away from his
defender before sliding a neat ball through for Montano down the
inside-right channel. Montano's initial cross is blocked and when the ball
comes back to him, the Colombian slams a wild effort that spins out for a
throw-in.
44 mins - Just a few moments to go until half-time and it looks like we're
going to end the opening 45 minutes goalless. West Ham have shaded it, in
terms of possession but City have had the clearer chances. Plenty for both
managers to think about at the break.
42 mins - Lee becomes the first player cautioned for a late sliding tackle
on Tutte. Lee had played the ball into Abdulla, who mis-controlled. When the
ball ran clear, Tutte was just a split-second faster too it than Lee.
41 mins - Helan is a bit of a handful. He does a couple of step-overs to
wrong-foot Spector before crossing, but it's too high for Guidetti. The ball
is then crossed in from the right and Spector heads behind for a corner,
which Stech claims.
39 mins - City are definitely on top now. Chantler finds Ibrahim, whose
loose touch rolls into the path of Helan. He races away from Reid and should
cross for Guidetti. Instead, he shoots left-footed and again it's an easy
save for Stech to make.
37 mins - Reid does well to get in and head the ball behind for a corner.
The ball comes over from the left, but Ibrahim can only help it out for a
goal kick on the far side.
33 mins - Etuhu picks up possession in midfield and drives at the West Ham
back four, riding a challenge from Moncur in the process, before shooting
low but straight at Stech. Seconds later, City come again and this time it
is Ibrahim who curls a shot a couple of yards wide. The visitors have come
into this in the last five minutes.
31 mins - Reid has looked strong and assured so far. He's winning everything
in the air against Guidetti, a Sweden U19 striker with 14 goals in 14
appearances for his country at that level.
28 mins - West Ham are again controlling possession, but they have yet to
fashion a real clear opening. Kovac shoots from 30 yards, but his effort is
charged down. Dyer is imploring his side to keep passing the ball. Should
they do that, a chance will surely arrive sooner rather than later.
25 mins - Kay drives a free-kick into the penalty area from halfway. Mee
gets his head to the ball, but it's an easy save for Stech low down.
24 mins - Good defensive work from Brown this time, getting himself in the
right place to cut out an attempted through ball to Kelvin Etuhu. Had he got
that wrong, the City No7 would have been in on goal.
22 mins - Kay comes forward again for City, but Reid is strong and blocks
his shot on the edge of the penalty area.
21 mins - Jordan Brown is having a good game here, getting up and down the
left flank and causing City all manner of problems. He wins another corner
on his latest foray upfield. Abdulla's kick is again a deep one that finds
Spector, but the American's cross is too strong and City clear. West Ham
quickly win possession back and Abdulla has a chance to shoot from 25 yards,
but he scuffs his effort well wide of the left-hand post.
20 mins - Abdulla's effort cannons into the wall and City clear.
19 mins - Montano does superbly to bring down a high ball before beating one
defender. He is about to pull the trigger from 25 yards when he is impeded
by Scott Kay. Free-kick in a shooting position for the Hammers...
16 mins - Guidetti goes down under a challenge from Spence and a free-kick
is given 30 yards from Stech's goal. It looked a bit soft, that. Chantler
curls the ball over, but it's short and Kovac clears with ease on the
volley.
15 mins - Another chance for West Ham as Montano gets in behind. He tries to
find Nouble, but the pass hits a defender and rolls behind for another
corner. Abdulla again takes, but it's too close to Gonzalez and the
goalkeeper claims high above his head.
14 mins - Abdulla curls the corner over from the left and it bounces to
Spector at the far post, but the full-back cannot keep his volley down and
it flies high and wide.
13 mins - Good stuff from West Ham. Reid finds Abdulla with a fine pass. The
No10 controls, loses his defender and shoots from 20 yards, forcing a
sprawling save from Gonzalez.
11 mins - Spector does well, winning the ball on the edge of his own box
before beating two City attackers and laying the ball off to Moncur. He
finds Kovac, who then seeks out Spector with a raking 40-yard pass. Logan is
there to intercept and head the ball away. Enterprising play from the
American.
9 mins - Typical! Helan finds Kay and the No4 gets into the penalty area and
shoots low. Stech blocks with his legs and Lee is able to hack the ball
clear. City win a free-kick, but captain Spence is there to head the ball
away from inside his own box.
8 mins - City have hardly had a kick so far. West Ham are lined up in a
4-3-1-2 formation, with Abdulla behind Nouble and Montano.
7 mins - Abdulla nearly benefits from a loose sliced clearance from
Gonzalez, but Logan is there to head the ball back to his goalkeeper.
5 mins - Among the crowd here today is Arsenal scout and former West Ham
player John Cartwright. He came through the ranks alongside the great Bobby
Moore and later went on to work for the FA's School of Excellence.
3 mins - A loose touch at the back allows Nouble to attack down the right.
He wins a corner. It is taken short and Abdulla sees his cross blocked.
2 mins - That's a good chance for the Hammers, to be honest. Moncur switches
play cleverly and Kovac helps the ball on to Brown. His cross is dangerous
and Gonzalez comes out and can only divert the ball on to the shoulder of
Nouble. It bounces narrowly wide.
1 min - Spector gets forward well down the right flank before feeding the
ball inside to Lee, whose touch is a little heavy and Gonzalez is able to
gather with ease.

2pm - We're underway here at Ship Lane.
1.59pm - West Ham will kick-off...
1.57pm - The Hammers enter the playing surface. They certainly have the edge
in terms of experience, but City's youngsters will be eager to shine on a
cool and cloudy afternoon. A bit of news before we start - Iceland Under-21
defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, a regular in the reserves, is on trial at
German champions VfL Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg, of course, are managed by former
England boss Steve McClaren.
1.55pm - There is a decent turnout of supporters here this afternoon,
including the Hammers Under-14 side, who have taken their seats in the main
stand here at Ship Lane. City are the first to emerge from the dressing
rooms in their all-white kit with a blue and red diagonal stripe across the
front.
1.50pm - Good afternoon and welcome to Essex for this afternoon's Barclays
Premier Reserve League clash with Manchester City. Both teams lost their
last league fixture - the Hammers at Arsenal and City at Wigan Athletic - so
they will be keen to bounce back to winning ways. Both teams have headed
back to their dressing rooms for their final preparations.
Good afternoon and welcome to Ship Lane for West Ham United's fifth fixture
of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier Reserve League season.
Alex Dyer's side have won three and lost one of their opening four matches
and sit third in the Southern Division table, albeit with games in hand on
the two teams above them - Aston Villa and Arsenal.
Dyer has a mixture of youth and experience to call upon this afternoon, with
full internationals Radoslav Kovac (pictured), Winston Reid and Jonathan
Spector joining a host of young professionals in the starting XI.
Manchester City, who have renamed their reserves the 'Elite Development
Squad', have brought a youthful squad. Kelvin Etuhu, John Guidetti, Ben Mee
and Abdisalam Ibrahim all have first-team experience, with the latter three
all starting City's 2-1 Carling Cup third-round defeat at West Bromwich
Albion in September.
West Ham United reserves: Stech, Spector, Spence, Reid, Brown, Kovac
(Subuola 62), Lee, Moncur (Lletget 62), Abdulla, Montano, Nouble
Subs: Mehmet, Sanchez, Powell
Manchester City reserves: Gonzalez, Logan, Chantler, Kay, Wabara, Mee, Etuhu
(Elabdellaou 85), Tutte, Guidetti, Ibrahim, Helan
Subs: Johansen, Benali, Veseli, Smith

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Noble sidelined
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble may be out of action for around a month after undergoing an
appendectomy on Monday
02.11.2010

Mark Noble has been ruled out for up to a month after undergoing surgery for
appendicitis. The West Ham United No16 was seen by the club's doctor after
suffering abdominal pains at Chadwell Heath on Monday. The 23-year-old was
taken to hospital and had his appendix removed during an hour-long procedure
on Monday evening. Full recovery from an appendectomy usually takes around
four weeks. Noble has been in outstanding form this season, starting all ten
Barclays Premier League matches and netting penalties against Bolton
Wanderers and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The midfielder also produced an
outstanding display in helping the Hammers defeat Stoke City last week to
reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

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West Ham midfielder Noble faces month out after surgery
BBC.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is out for up to a month after having an
operation to remove his appendix. The 23-year-old was seen by the club's
doctor after complaining of stomach problems on Monday. His injury is a
fresh blow to the Hammers, who are without fellow midfielder Thomas
Hitzlsperger for four months because of a thigh injury. Noble has started
all 10 Premier League matches this season for West Ham, who are bottom of
the table on six points. The former England Under-21 international underwent
an hour-long operation in hospital on Monday night. Noble has scored twice
this season, netting penalties against Bolton and Wolves, and starred in
last week's 3-1 defeat of Stoke, which sent West Ham into the Carling Cup
quarter-finals.
With the recovery period for such an operation usually expected to be four
weeks, he could potentially be fit for that last-eight match at home to
Manchester United, which has been scheduled for Tuesday 30 November. His
absence leaves Hammers manager Avram Grant with a selection headache in
midfield as long-term absentee Jack Collison may not return until the new
year and the appearances of injury-plagued Kieron Dyer are being carefully
managed. Valon Behrami, Radoslav Kovac and Luis Boa Morte are possible
replacements in central midfield for Noble, who has been playing alongside
Scott Parker. Meanwhile, Grant hopes that defenders Matthew Upson and Manuel
da Costa - who are carrying minor knocks - will be ready for Saturday's trip
to Birmingham.

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Holmar eyes German switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd November 2010
By: Staff
riter
Young Hammer Holmar Örn Eyjolfsson could be set to move to Germany after
agreeing to go on trial with Wolfsburg. The German Bundesliga outfit,
currently managed by former England boss Steve McClaren have taken the
20-year-old Icelandic central defender on loan until the middle of next week
- and could make the move permanent should all parties agree to proceed.
Talking about the potential move, Eyjolfsson - whose father Eyjolfur
Sverrisson made over 250 appearances in the Bundesliga for Stuttgart and
Hertha Berlin between 1989 and 2003 - revealed: "I have spoken with my
father about the Bundesliga and Hamburg and of course he has also given me
some tips. My first impressions are really good and I have been well
received. The training is intense and it feels almost like a game, I like
that." Meanwhile manager McClaren, who has been in charge of the Wolves
since last summer added: "He's a central defender, playing for the Iceland
Under-21 national team - so let's see how he does." Should Eyjolfsson leave
West Ham he will become the second high-profile Academy youngster to depart
this season following Fabio Daprela's free transfer to Brescia in August.

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Noble set for lengthy lay-off
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd November 2010
By: Staff Writer

Mark Noble will be sidelined until December after undergoing surgery to
correct 'abdominal pains'. The 23-year-old midfielder, who received rave
reviews after virtually single-handedly reversing West Ham's fortunes during
last week's 3-1 League Cup win against Stoke is set to miss the next month
in an attempt to resolve the problem, which is said to have emerged
following a training session earlier this week. The news comes at the worst
possible time for the Canning Town-born player, who made his 125th Premier
League appearance for West Ham in Saturday's narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal
and was beginning to make his mark in the first team following a season of
indifferent form.

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Noble blow for Hammers
Midfielder out for a month after appendix op
Last updated: 2nd November 2010
SSN

West Ham have suffered a blow with the news Mark Noble faces a month on the
sidelines after undergoing appendix surgery. Noble was taken to hospital on
Monday after complaining of stomach pains at the Hammers' Chadwell Heath
training ground. The 23-year-old underwent an hour-long operation at an
Essex hospital to have his appendix removed and he is expected to be out of
action for a month. It means Noble will miss this weekend's game at
Birmingham, as well as the matches against West Brom, Blackpool, Liverpool
and Wigan this month. The news is a major blow for Hammers boss Avram Grant
as he looks to lead his side off the bottom of the table and to safety in
the Premier League.

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Eyjolfsson in Wolfsburg trial
McClaren takes on West Ham youngster
Last updated: 2nd November 2010
SSN

Wolfsburg boss Steve McClaren has taken West Ham youngster Holmar Orn
Eyjolfsson on a four-day trial. The Iceland Under 21 international has found
his chances limited at Upton Park and has had spells on loan with both
Cheltenham and Belgian outfit Roeselaere since joining in 2008. Eyjolfsson
is still highly regarded in some circles and rose to prominence in the
Under-17 European Championship with his country in 2007. "I have been
talking much about the Bundesliga with my father. We have also been talking
about VfL Wolfsburg," said Eyjolfsson, whose father, Eyolfur Sverrison, had
a spell as captain of Hertha Berlin in his playing days.

Strong

"The first impression is fine, I was well received by the squad. The team
looks like a strong side, training was very intensive." The 20-year-old is a
regular at reserve level for the Hammers, but former England manager
McClaren admitted to being impressed by the player. "This feels good. He is
a centre-back and he is an Under 21 international with Iceland. We will have
to wait and see," said McClaren.

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Noble out after appendix op
The Sun
Published: 02 Nov 2010

WEST HAM face four weeks without Mark Noble after the in-form midfielder
underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix last night. The
23-year-old complained of abdominal pains yesterday and was rushed to
hospital for an hour-long operation. Recovery from the procedure is expected
to take one month, meaning Noble could miss up to five Premier League
matches.

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Noble eyes swift return
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today

MARK NOBLE told West Ham fans he is already planning his return to the
club's relegation dogfight. The midfielder is recovering from an emergency
op to remove his appendix after he woke up in agony on Monday morning. He
will be out for around four weeks in what is a huge blow for rock-bottom
Hammers, who are four points from safety. Noble, 23, said: "I'm fine. I'm
glad it's all over and it was painful. "But I just want to get back into
training as soon as possible and help the team out."

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Avram Grant to cash in on out-of-favour Carlton Cole in January
By MATT BARLOW
Last updated at 10:50 PM on 2nd November 2010
Daily Mail

Carlton Cole looks set to leave West Ham in January after being unable to
hold down a place in Avram Grant's struggling team. Cole has started just
one of West Ham's last five Barclays Premier League games and Liverpool will
be on the alert, after their offer of £9million in August was rejected when
the Hammers failed to secure a replacement for the striker. Grant is under
pressure to cash in before the England player's value plummets. He began the
season as first-choice spearhead but was ousted by Frederic Piquionne. After
scoring his first goal of the season against Newcastle, Cole was back on the
bench when Saturday's defeat at Arsenal left West Ham bottom of the league.
He admits his confidence has been rocked by the axe but rejects the idea he
is troubled by a knee injury.
Bolton's Kevin Davies made the England squad ahead of Cole against
Montenegro last month, and Cole is unlikely to return for the France
friendly in a fortnight, with Newcastle's Andy Carroll looking a better
option. Still, Sunderland and Tottenham were interested in Cole last
summer, and Arsene Wenger is another admirer. West Ham's Mark Noble,
meanwhile, is out for a month after having his appendix removed. Matthew
Upson, who missed the trip to Arsenal, and Manuel da Costa, who injured his
ankle there, hope to be available at Birmingham on Saturday.

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WEST HAM HORROR AT MARK NOBLE OP SHOCK
Daily Star
3rd November 2010 By Sami Mokbel

WEST HAM have suffered another hammer blow after in-form midfielder Mark
Noble was ruled out for a month. The 23-year-old was rushed to ­hospital
after suffering stomach pains during training on Monday. Noble underwent an
hour-long ­operation to have his appendix ­removed and will now miss the
­crucial games against Birmingham, West Brom, Blackpool, Liverpool and
Wigan. Noble has been one of the few star performers in a disastrous season
for under-pressure boss Avram Grant. His blossoming midfield partnership
with Scott Parker has been a rare source of hope at Upton Park. The Hammers
are four points adrift at the foot of the Premier League after 10 games,
with Grant fighting for his job. Valon Behrami has told Grant he is ready to
solve their midfield crisis, with summer signing Thomas Hitzlsperger also
yet to play this season. Behrami has been plagued by injuries and looked set
to leave Upton Park during the summer but failed to secure a move and is now
desperate to get his career back on track. He said: "I am feeling good. I
have had some bad luck in the last two years with injuries and it seems I
have spent a lot of time in this situation. "It is normal that my confidence
is not so high but I have been working hard and if I keep giving this
effort, it will be OK. "I am thinking positive. It is not always easy but it
is great to be back with the team and ready to play. "It is very important
for me to get back to playing. A lot of things have been written and said.
The only place I can prove my commitment is on the pitch and I am here for
that. "I can see a positive atmosphere at the training ground. The club
signed quality players who give 100 per cent and everyone wants to avoid a
season like last year."

But Grant's boss David Gold has been less than impressed this season and
admits West Ham are playing no better than a Championship side. Gold and
co-owner David Sullivan have already been forced to change their pre-season
objective from a top-10 finish to simply staying in the Premier League. And
Gold said: "Last season we avoided relegation with 35 points. "So for all
intents and purposes we are a Championship club. "Yes, we've made some new
signings but they need time to bed in at the club. "Thomas Hitzlsperger was
Avram's main signing but he has not played and won't play until next year
now because of injury."

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