Kevin Keen was happy to see Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington get an
extended weekend run-out
03.08.2008
Kevin Keen was pleased after another good test for his West Ham United XI at
the weekend with confidence mounting ahead of the new campaign.
Despite losing out 2-1 away to Grays Athletic, Kevin Keen was able to dig
out positives from the match, including a successful run out for two
experienced first-teamers Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer following an
extended injury absence. "It was a big plus that they both came through,"
said Keen. "All seems fine and there were no problems, so hopefully they
will be in and around the first-team for this week's games."
Keen said: "It was a good stiff game for us. Grays played some good
football, similar to what Cambridge United did last week. It was a good test
for us. We were disappointed with the goals we conceded, but that's football
and it is all things that the young boys can learn from and hopefully, be
better for it."
The reserve-team coach said the young players were benefitting from taking
part in these pre-season friendlies, and some are now firmly in the frame to
join the senior selection at Ipswich on Monday night. "I think this game
showed that we have a little way to go, some players are in front of others,
but we will see how we go. Some of them will travel with the first team on
Monday and others will be playing on Tuesday at Bishop's Stortford."
Zavon Hines scored his fifth goal in as many games and is just one of
several players aiming to follow team-mates Jack Collison, James Tomkins and
Freddie Sears into the first-team picture. "There is competition, but that
is good. They all want to be the next ones who break through," said Keen.
"They all muck in together, there's a good spirit. They were glad that Jack,
Freddie and James have got their senior debuts and they too want to be the
ones playing in the Premier League."
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Ashton set to face Ipswich - WHUFC
The manager should have Dean Ashton back on Monday evening while Carlton
Cole is likely to sit out
03.08.2008
West Ham United travel to Ipswich on Monday night hopeful that Dean Ashton
will be back to take his place in the starting lineup.
Ashton has sat out the last two first-team friendlies after being laid low
by illness but is expected to return, possibly alongside Craig Bellamy. He
may take the place of Carlton Cole who took a knock on his ankle at
Southampton on Friday but is also expected to play next weekend at home
against Villarreal. Freddie Sears is making good progress from his bruised
foot suffered in midweek so Alan Curbishley, who has another young striker
in Zavon Hines in prolific form, could have a full complement of forwards by
the weekend.
First up is the trip to Portman Road and the manager is looking forward to
the contest. "We will take a lot of fans there," he said. "It should be a
terrific atmosphere and I am hoping for a better performance [than the 2-2
draw with Southampton]. We are looking forward to the game." The manager has
also admitted there could be one or two new faces before the start of the
season. "I think you will see lots of clubs reacting to different issues. We
will be no different to that," he added.
While George McCartney trained over the weekend, Matthew Etherington, Luis
Boa Morte and Lee Bowyer may figure at Ipswich or Bishop's Stortford on
Tuesday. Kieron Dyer will not play this week, despite initial hopes. The
midfielder is still training and strengthening after his double leg break
but is not yet ready for match action and there is no desire to rush him
back. Having had his injury assessed at the end of last week by the club's
new chief medical officer, Dyer will continue on a specialist rehabilitation
programme over the next six weeks before a period of pre-season style
training.
Meanwhile, Curbishley is more than content with the form shown by Valon
Behrami, his summer signing from Lazio and knows he offers plenty of
versatility. He said: "He has only done a week's training. We have thrown
him in at the deep end ... He is a great athlete. We know he can play
right-back and we know he can play wide right. He can also play in the
centre of midfield so we are just assessing it at the moment. He is getting
to know everybody."
Young forward Hines has been at the club for some time as an Academy product
and Curbishley was delighted to see him progressing this summer. He said:
"He has got that unpredictability. He is not afraid to turn on balls going
into him which is a great asset and he is not afraid to try things ... He
went off to Coventry and scored a vital goal for them in their survival bid
last year. He has grown up a little bit. He has got a little bit of flair, a
little bit about him that he is not afraid to try things."
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Dyer out until October - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 3rd August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley was handed another massive injury blow this weekend when it
was revealed that Kieron Dyer will be out of action until October at the
earliest.
The England international had set tomorrow night's trip to Ipswich as his
comeback game some 11 months after suffering a double break in a Carling Cup
tie against Bristol Rovers last year. But West Ham United confirmed today
that Dyer faces at least another six weeks on the sidelines before once
again returning to training.
A piece in this morning's News of the World claimed that Dyer would be out
for another four months after suffering a stress fracture on the same leg
that was broken last year. That story is thought to have prompted United's
confirmation over Dyer's status; the club stating this afternoon that the
former Newcastle player will 'continue on a specialist rehabilitation
programme over the next six weeks before a period of pre-season style
training' having been 're-assessed by the club's new chief medical officer',
Nikos Tzouroudis.
There is slightly better news for Carlton Cole, who was injured during the
2-2 draw at Southampton on Friday night. Cole, who injured an ankle and was
immediately substituted will miss the trip to Ipswich but, according to the
club's website whufc.com, should return for the visit of Villarreal next
weekend.
Dean Ashton, who has missed United's last two pre-season run-outs should
return to partner Craig Bellamy at Portman Road tomorrow night.
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Hammers reject Ashton exit talk - SSN
Reports claim Dyer has suffered new injury blow
Last updated: 3rd August 2008
West Ham have rejected reports that they would be prepared to sell striker
Dean Ashton to any of their Premier League rivals. England international
Ashton only recently committed himself to the Upton Park club for the
long-term future when he put pen to paper on a five-year deal. And the
Hammers have moved quickly to reject speculation that they are considering
an £18million offer for the Norwich ace. Hammers chief executive Scott
Duxbury told the News of the World: "Hell would have to freeze over for us
to sell Dean to a major rival."
Meanwhile, injury-hit midfielder Kieron Dyer could be set for a further
lengthy spell on the sidelines. The News of the World claim that the former
England international has suffered a new stress fracture to the right leg he
badly broke in August last year. Dyer could now be facing another spell on
the sidelines, just days after speaking of his delight to be back in
contention for Alan Curbishley's side.
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Anton Ferdinand says he is staying at West Ham - The Mirror
sundaymirror.co.uk 3/08/2008
Anton Ferdinand has rejected rumours linking him with a move from West Ham.
The 23-year-old has been at the centre of transfer speculation with
Sunderland and Tottenham linked with the former England Under-21
international. But Ferdinand, who has two years left on his deal at Upton
Park, says he's keen to continue playing for boss Alan Curbishley. The
defender said: "I'm concentrating on getting fit for West Ham and I'm
looking forward to the start of the season. "I don't think about the
speculation. I'm under contract and love playing for the club. "If you asked
the fans about me when they see me playing, I don't look like I'm thinking
about anything but West Ham."
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Gudjohnsen Will Not Be Boleyn Bound - WestHamFans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 3 August, 2008 - 18:36.
Despite saying that there would be no further updates until Wednesday, we
are able to confirm that Eidur Gudjohnsen will not be heading to the Boleyn.
Barcelona´s Gudjohnsen has been a long term target for West Ham, but despite
Carlton Cole´s injury and rumours of Kieron Dyer being unfit, Hammers will
be unable to recruit the Icelandic International. Once upon a time we had a
´special´realationship with certain employees of West Ham United, but this
story is courtesy of a ´higher order Doris´. As luck would have it, through
our contact, we were introduced to various board members of Barcelona
including a tour of the stadium ( it´s amazing what a bona fide press card
can do for you in Europe), but the most significant event was being able to
ask and being told of Barcelona´s plans for Gudjohnsen. Essentially he will
stay at least until the January transfer window, there is an agreement in
place for a full review of the player´s situation and he has expressed a
desire to stay in Spain despite the overtures from West Ham among several
other English Premier League clubs. Incidentally, the spurious anti West Ham
stories emanating from that trusty rag ´the daily snail´ have a lot to do
with the afters generated by the Tevezgate situation, in case anyone had not
realised half their f·····g staff are Blades supporters, as are the entire
overpaid under worked staff of BBC radio North! - Ed
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Sunday Update: Number 6 Shirt to be Retired - West Ham Till I Die
Like you all I am devastated by the news that Kieron Dyer will be out for a
further four months with a stress fracture. You've got to feel for the guy.
Admittedly the report was in the News of the World, but it carried too much
information to be made up.
Also in the News of the World was that West Ham have turned down an £18
million bid for Dean Ashton. Scott Duxbury said hell would have to freeze
over before West Ham sold him. Comments like that always make me nervous!
The NOTW further reported that West Ham will announce next week that they
will retire the Number 6 shirt in Bobby Moore's honour. I don't support
that. If it was to be done, it should have been done within a year of his
death. They also say there will be a permanent reminder of Moore in the
ground with a giant billboard with a Number 6 on it.
There are also further rumours that the Nicky Shorey transfer is back on and
will be completed this week.
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West Ham to field strong line up - ipswichtownmad.co.uk
By Chris Sunday, 3rd August 2008
West Ham United are set to field a strong line up in the Monday night clash
with Ipswich Town . West Ham are set to take no mercy when they come to
Portman Road. They're hoping to have Dean Ashton back in their starting
eleven, who has been struggling with an illness in recent weeks. Craig
Bellamy is likely to join him in attack, which will provide Town with their
sternest test of their pre-season campaign. Meanwhile former Town favourite,
Keiron Dyer, will not feature. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley does not want
to rush him back after his horrendous leg injury. Other Midfielders, Lee
Bowyer, Mathew Etherington and Luis Boa Morte are all likely to play some
part in the eagerly anticipated match. Curbishley expects many fans to make
the away trip to Portman Road, although they will be hoping to see more than
they did against Southampton, which ended in a 2 - 2 draw. Curbishley: "We
will take a lot of fans there. It should be a terrific atmosphere and I am
hoping for a better performance [than the 2-2 draw with Southampton]. We are
looking forward to the game".
Richard Wright will be one who is especially looking forward to the game,
where he will meet up with his former team mates. Town fans will also be
looking forward to this match, many still not forgetting their play-off
defeat against the Hammers.
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West Ham braced for Spurs bid for Ashton
tribalfooball.com - August 03, 2008
West Ham United expect Tottenham to make a fresh move for striker Dean
Ashton. The News of the World says the Hammers are bracing themselves for an
£18million offer. With Robbie Keane sold to Liverpool and Dimitar Berbatov's
future still in the balance, Spurs are running out of time to bolster their
strike force before the start of the season. But West Ham's chief executive
Scott Duxbury insisted the England ace, 24, will not be sold as he recently
agreed a new £50,000 a week, five-year deal. Duxbury said: "Hell would have
to freeze over for us to sell Dean to a major rival. "It would be no
surprise to us if there are certain clubs who would be interested in him.
"But we worked very hard to put together a deal to keep Dean at the club and
he remains a massive part of our ambitious plans."
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New setback for West Ham's Dyer
tribalfooball.com - August 03, 2008
West Ham's injury-hit midfielder Kieron Dyer could be set for a further
lengthy spell on the sidelines. The News of the World says the former
England international has suffered a new stress fracture to the right leg he
badly broke in August last year. Dyer could now be facing another spell on
the sidelines, just days after speaking of his delight to be back in
contention for Alan Curbishley's side.
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West Ham coach Keen: Kids want to follow Sears
tribalfooball.com - August 03, 2008
West Ham reserves coach Kevin Keen admits several of his youngsters are
battling to catch the eye of manager Alan Curbishley. Zavon Hines scored his
fifth goal in as many games against Grays Athletic last week and is just one
of several players aiming to follow team-mates Jack Collison, James Tomkins
and Freddie Sears into the first-team picture. "There is competition, but
that is good. They all want to be the next ones who break through," Keen
told whufc.com. "They all muck in together, there's a good spirit. They were
glad that Jack, Freddie and James have got their senior debuts and they too
want to be the ones playing in the Premier League."
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