The club will meet with Dean Ashton next week with the aim of finalising a
new contract for the striker
28.05.2008
West Ham United are aiming to conclude a new long-term contract for Dean
Ashton next week after another "very positive" meeting with his
representatives. The 24-year-old striker has two years left to run on his
existing deal at the Boleyn Ground. Ashton is on international duty with
England until Sunday, and could win his first cap against the United States
at Wembley tonight, but talks continued on his behalf on Tuesday. West Ham
United Chief Executive Scott Duxbury said: "The talks so far have been very
positive. We are meeting with Dean and his representatives in the early part
of next week with the aim of concluding a new long-term contract." The
latest meeting followed initial discussions on Friday 16 May after the end
of the 2007/08 season.
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Bellamy sees best years ahead - WHUFC
Craig Bellamy could see his West Ham United ambitions take a major step
forward this evening
28.05.2008
Craig Bellamy is fully focused on returning to action for West Ham United
next season as he looks to a playing return with Wales on Wednesday night.
The 28-year-old striker, who could win his 50th cap against Iceland in
Reykjavik before Sunday's trip to face the Netherlands, is working harder
than ever before to be raring to go for West Ham United next season. "I am
not coming back just to hopefully be good at this level," he told a recent
fans forum. "I want to be back when I come back. I want the next couple of
years to be the highlight of my career and to do that I have got to work so
hard ... Sometimes when you come back from rehab you are finding your way
back but this time I have come back right and in good condition."
Bellamy, who scored four goals in nine appearances during his first campaign
in east London, has been on an intense personal training programme and was
even working with Cardiff City once the Premier League season concluded in
order to further his progress. The chance to get some match practice with
Wales this week will be another step forward to leaving the "frustrating"
abdominal injury problems of the past campaign behind him. He added: "It has
been disappointing but I will look back hopefully in the next few years and
say I have had three or four of the best years of my career. That is what I
am trying to do and that is what I am working for."
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Sears upbeat with England - WHUFC
Freddie Sears has spoken about his form with England U19s as they look to
reach July's UEFA finals
28.05.2008
Freddie Sears has been speaking about his two-goal show that helped England
to a winning start in their bid to reach the European Under-19 Championship.
The 18-year-old West Ham United forward was the hero in a 2-0 victory
against Poland on Monday that set the Young Lions up for a showdown with
Serbia today that could decide who will reach the finals in the Czech
Republic this July even before the final Elite round group match against
mini-tournament hosts Belarus on Saturday. His first was a neat finish after
a fine pass from Crystal Palace winger Victor Moses before he stepped up to
score late on from the spot after club-mate James Tomkins had seen his
goalbound effort handled.
"It's a great start to the tournament for us and we all want to get to the
Czech Republic this summer and compete in the Euros," Sears told the FA.com.
"Poland were a decent side and quite physical but we dominated them in the
first half. The conditions were pretty tough as it was the hottest day of
the year apparently and everyone was feeling the heat so I was well pleased
to tuck away the penalty at the end. I was confident over the penalty as
I've taken them for both West Ham's academy and reserve sides this season. I
was happy to see it go in as it took the pressure off and killed the game."
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Ladies take centre stage - WHUFC
A major community day at the Boleyn Ground showed how far women's football
is progressing at the club
27.05.2008
More than 300 girls and young women showed their passion for football by
taking part in West Ham United Ladies' annual tournament at the Boleyn
Ground.
With so many participants and their parents demonstrating a commitment to
the game, the event made a positive statement that the grassroots of women's
football are strengthening as they develop. This was emphasised by the
co-operative team spirit and high level of technical ability shown by all
teams on the day.
West Ham United Ladies manager Tony Marshall said "An event such as this
demonstrates that the club's commitment to the development of young local
talent is equally applicable to girls as well as boys. Such a prestigious
occasion can only help to raise awareness about the continued development,
and increasingly high standard of girls' and women's football in the local
area."
As part of the event, six female coaches from the West Ham United in the
Community trainee and mentoring scheme worked alongside staff from both West
Ham United Ladies and local clubs, to provide structured warm-ups and game
related coaching. Once fully qualified, these trainees will work with future
generations of young women in the local community, providing positive female
role models for aspiring players to emulate.
With such an enthusiastic and motivated talent base it will not be long
before some of the young girls taking part are following their male
counterparts Mark Noble and Freddie Sears by breaking into the Ladies first
team.
whufc.com will keep you posted all summer on the latest developments of the
Ladies team at all levels and follow their progress next season as they look
to build on the tremendous 2007/08 campaign.
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Ashton working hard with England - WHUFC
Fabio Capello has not given anything away about Dean Ashton's chances of a
first England cap this week
27.05.2008
Dean Ashton is working hard in training to do enough to earn his first
England cap against the United States at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Fabio Capello was keeping his cards close to his chest on Tuesday, although
he did confirm that John Terry would captain the side for the first time
since the Italian manager first took charge of the team in February. Ashton
has been training hard with his international team-mates, including David
Beckham after his arrival from the US, as he seeks to put the pain of two
enforced previous squad withdrawals behind him. The 30-man selection is set
to be cut after the midweek match with a smaller party travelling to play
Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
When asked about who would be in his starting lineup, Capello simply said:
"You have to wait." He added that he was looking forward to a stern test
against the visiting US side. "I think it will be a strong game. I saw three
games they played against Poland, Sweden and Mexico. They scored seven goals
and only conceded two. They have good organisation, they are very fast when
they attack. They are are also very good from free-kicks and corners. I
think it is a very important test for us and it will be very important for
us to play at a high level. The games are very important because you will
know what i think about players and their positions."
Meanwhile, Ashton's club-mate Jonathan Spector has been ruled out of the
game with US coach Bob Bradley confirming he has not recovered from the hip
injury he suffered back in April on club duty. "At this time, he is not
expected to play," he said on Tuesday afternoon. "We need to have our
doctors run some further tests and make sure where he is but he will not be
in the squad for the game."
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Collison ready for another first - WHUFC
At 19, Jack Collison could find himself lining up for Wales in an senior
international on Wednesday
27.05.2008
Jack Collison is hoping to put the seal on a superb breakthrough season for
club and country with his first cap for Wales this week.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last 12 months. First,
he played a full part in Alan Curbishley's pre-season plans last summer
before being appointed captain of Kevin Keen's reserves. After promising
form for the second string, he earned the first of five Wales Under-21 caps
and then made his first team debut away to Arsenal on New Year's Day. He got
his first start at Bolton Wanderers in April and has capped it all with
being called up for Wales' senior friendlies away to Iceland on Wednesday
and in the Netherlands next Sunday.
Collison, who qualifies to play for John Toshack's side through his
grandfather and has seen his chances increase with Simon Davies and Paul
Parry withdrawing, said: "I was really happy to get the letter through about
going to Iceland and Holland with the senior squad. Obviously it is going to
be a massive opportunity. It is what everyone dreams of and it is what I am
striving to achieve. If I get the chance to play I have got to take it." The
midfielder could find himself lining up alongside club-mate and
international captain Craig Bellamy - a major influence on his decision to
play for Wales and he has taken the youngster under his wing.
"I had a little word with Bellars about these games and he is hoping to be
involved. He has been stepping up his training and will be about ready for a
match by the time the Iceland game comes around," Collison added. If Bellamy
does figure in Reykjavik it will be his 50th international cap and Collison
knows he has a long way to go to live up to his illustrious colleague.
"Obviously making the breakthrough was the hard part but the work begins now
and I hope to play a bigger part for West Ham next season. Looking back I
didn't expect what happened to happen. I have made my full debut and it
would be nice to end it all with a cap for Wales."
Certainly his form has captured Bellamy's eye. The 28-year-old striker said:
"He is a good player but one thing I like about Jack the most is he has got
a special attitude. He wants to be first at everything, even in things like
sprinting.. He wants to really improve and that is what I look for. This boy
will work and wants to give everything. If you have got that attitude with
ability you have got a really good chance."
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Hammers flying the flag - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 28th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United fielded the most Englishmen in the Premier League last
season, according to a new report. The Hammers topped a list of Premier
League clubs with an average of 6.61 English players in every starting
line-up. Closest to Alan Curbishley's side were Aston Villa with an average
of 6.42 per game, followed by Middlesbrough (5.26). Guilty of fielding the
least number of English players - somewhat unsurprisingly - were Arsenal
with an average of just 0.34. Liverpool (2.34) and Fulham (2.42). The
report, produced by BBC Sport revealed that of the 498 players who started a
Premier League match last season just 170 (or 34.1%) were English - a drop
of 4% on the 2006/07 season. Despite fielding the most number of English
players the Hammers currently have just one representative in the English
national squad - striker Dean Ashton, who is widely tipped to make his full
debut against the USA tonight.
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Magpies prepare Emana swoop - SSN
Keegan keen on African ace
By Chris Burton Last updated: 27th May 2008
Newcastle are weighing up a move for Cameroon international Achille Emana.
Kevin Keegan is keen to get new faces in as soon as possible and has set his
sights on Toulouse's talented midfielder. It is understood that talks
between the Magpies and the Ligue 1 side have already begun, with Emana
expressing an interest in moving to the Premier League. The 25-year-old has
a contract in France until 2011, but his agent Sebastien Thiery is confident
that an agreement can be reached. "Achille is ready to play in the Premier
League and Newcastle is a team he would relish playing for," said Thiery.
"He is strong and is a box-to-box midfielder who also possesses a lot of
pace. "He has the right number of caps and the right amount of experience at
25 not to be overawed by the Premier League, which would be an exciting
challenge."
Emana rose through the academy ranks at Valencia before moving to France as
a teenager in 2000. He is believed to be open on a return to Spain, and
Seville, Real Betis, Portsmouth and West Ham are expected to join Newcastle
in the hunt for his signature. He is an international team-mate of Magpies
midfielder Geremi and has represented his country and the 2006 and 2008
African Cup of Nations. With Joey Barton's future shrouded in doubt and Emre
continuing to be linked with a move back to Turkey, Emana could prove to be
the answer to Keegan's problems in the middle of the park.
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West Ham favourite Ashton set to snub Newcastle by joining Upton Park's top
earners - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:33 AM on 28th May 2008
Dean Ashton is ready to commit his future to West Ham following talks on a
new, improved contract. The striker, who is set to start for England
against the USA at Wembley, wanted assurances about his future following
speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle. Since the end of the
season, though, Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury and Ashton's
representatives have been in contact and there was a further meeting on
Tuesday. It is understood the talks went well and Ashton, whose current deal
has two years left to run, is now expected to sign a new, long-term contract
when he returns after England's friendly in Trinidad on Sunday. The
24-year-old can expect a pay rise from his current £30,000-a-week earnings
to put him in line with the club's top earners. "The talks so far have been
very positive," said Duxbury. "We are meeting with Dean and his
representatives in the early part of next week with the aim of concluding a
new, long-term contract."
The news that Ashton is staying will be a boost to the club, since the
former Crewe and Norwich striker, who has battled back from a serious ankle
injury, is a firm favourite among the fans. Either Ashton or Jermain Defoe
will link up with Wayne Rooney in attack against the U.S. with England
coach Fabio Capello able to chose from an entire squad of fit players.
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Hammers on red alert after Kanoute reveals he'd consider a return to Premier
League - Guardian Series
FORMER West Ham Fredi Kanoute could return to Upton Park after revealing
that he would consider a "serious offer" to move back to the premier league.
Alan Curbishley is thought to be interested in the Mali international, who
spent three years with West Ham between 2000 and 2003 before moving to local
rivals Tottenham, where he struggled to find form. However, since his
transfer to Spanish side Sevilla in 2005, Kanoute has found his feet,
averaging almost a goal every other game and was named African Player of the
Year for 2007. As a result, the 30-year-old has been tipped for a return to
England, with Spurs, Aston Villa and Bolton all said to be monitoring the
situation. And the forward has fuelled the speculation by insisting he would
think about an offer, if one was made. "If there's a serious proposal on the
table then I will study it," he told Spanish newspaper Marca. "I'd like to
stay on in Seville. I'm not thinking about changing, at the moment. "It's
true that until now there have been no serious offers, but if a serious one
came I would think about it."
10:35am today
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Ljungberg in Sweden row - Echo News
WEST Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has become the subject of a major row
between Sweden manager Lars Lagerback and members of the country's media. At
a press conference following the nation's 1-0 friendly win over Slovenia in
Gothenburg on Monday, Lagerback was asked if Ljungberg would start Euro 2008
on reputation rather than form. The coach reacted angrily, dismissing the
claim that he did not pick players on ability as "ridiculous".
"It is so ridiculous and rude, what you are saying is that I am not doing my
job. The best team will play," said Lagerback. Ljungberg, 31, is currently
recovering from a broken rib suffered in West Ham's 2-2 draw with Newcastle
on April 26, but is confident of being fit for Sweden's opening Group D
match against Greece on June 10. Meanwhile, Irons striker Dean Ashton could
be in line for a full England debut against the United States at Wembley
tonight after head coach Fabio Capello revealed that Wayne Rooney will play
as a "second striker".
Ashton, 24, has missed out on two previous opportunities to earn his first
international cap through injury, but now faces a battle with Liverpool's
Peter Crouch to earn a starting place against the Americans, who could
feature Hammer Jonathan Spector in their defence. Irons teenage Irons
midfielder Jack Collison could also be on course for a full international
debut alongside club-mate Craig Bellamy, who will win his 50th cap when
Wales take on Iceland in Reykjavik tonight. The 19-year-old has made just
two appearances for the Hammers first team, but has impressed Welsh boss
John Toshack at Under-21 level since making his debut last year.
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Clubs to battle for American midfield star - lep.co.uk
Everton, Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers and
West Ham United are all said to be tracking USA star Michael Bradley.
The Heerenveen midfielder will be closely watched by Premier League scouts
as he lines up for the States against England at Wembley on Wednesday night.
20-year-old Bradley hit 17 goals from midfield last season and was believed
to be a target of Everton in January. And it looks as though the star could
be on his way to an English club, although they may wait until January to
sign a pre-contract agreement with the American.
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United face fight with West Ham and Pompey for Cameroon star
NEWCASTLE are trailing Cameroon international Achille Emana as Kevin Keegan
prepares to start his summer recruitment drive. The 25-year-old midfielder
is contracted to French club Toulouse until 2011. But is said to be looking
for a new challenge after a disappointing league campaign which saw his side
finish 17th a year after qualifying for the Champions League. It is
understood the Magpies have opened initial talks with the player as they
consider a possible move. His advisor, Sebastien Thiery, has indicated that
St James's Park is a destination he would seriously consider. Thiery said:
"Achille is ready to play in the Premier League, and Newcastle is a team he
would relish playing for. "He is strong and is a box-to-box midfielder, who
also possesses a lot of pace. "He has the right number of caps and the right
amount of experience at 25 not to be overawed by the Premier League, which
would be an exciting challenge."
Emana, a product of the Valencia youth system, is looking to either England
or Spain for the next step in his career. Seville, Real Betis and West Ham
are understood to be potential competitors for his signature. FA Cup winners
Portsmouth have also been alerted to his possible availability. He went to
the 2006 and 2008 African Nations Cup tournaments with Cameroon, and played
alongside Magpies man Geremi in this year's final as their country went down
1-0 to Egypt in Ghana.
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West Ham eyeing Brescia prospect Salamon
tribalfooball.com - May 27, 2008
West Ham United are moving for Brescia whiz Bartosz Salamon. The Polish
youngster, 17, is rated highly by new Hammers chief Gianluca Nani and made
his Serie B debut against Modena this month. Salamon has been likened to
former Brescia star Marek Hamsik, now of Napoli, and is also being followed
by Real Madrid.
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Spurs watch £4m Norway U21 star striker Elyounoussi in race to beat
Portsmouth, West Ham and Chelsea for his signature - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:31 AM on 27th May 2008
Tottenham have been told they must pay £4million for Norway Under 21 striker
Tarik Elyounoussi. Spurs scouts watched the 20-year-old play for Fredrikstad
on Sunday and the starlet - who was born in Morocco - turned down an offer
from Chelsea to train with them last season, according to the Daily Mirror.
Elyounoussi has also attracted the interest of Portsmouth and West Ham. He
has twice been named Young Player of the Year in Norway.
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