WHUFC.com
All the team news and background for Sunday's derby encounter against
Arsenal
24.10.2008
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Arsenal
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 26 October
4pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
WHUTV - Full audio commentary
Introduction
* West Ham United welcome Arsenal for the club's second London derby of the
season, having won 2-1 at Fulham on 27 October. A home win would move the
club to within a point of the visitors, who sit in fourth place in the
Barclays Premier League.
* United go into the game with a mixed run of form of late. Having secured
their first away win of the season in that game at Fulham, the side then
lost their 100 per cent home record by losing at home to Bolton Wanderers in
the following match - Gianfranco Zola's first league defeat as manager - and
then went down 1-0 at Hull City last weekend.
* Those results turned the side's form on its head as they had won their
first three matches at the Boleyn Ground.
* After last weekend's games, West Ham United are eighth in the Barclays
Premier League with four wins and three defeats and a level goal difference.
Arsenal have won five games, including two on their travels, drawn one and
lost two.
* Only West Ham United and Middlesbrough have not drawn a game this season.
* Zola's side will be hoping to keep their first clean sheet after a run of
20 matches since their last at Fulham in February. The club have not lost in
any of the four games this season where they have taken the lead.
* Carlton Cole is the club's top scorer with three goals from eight league
appearances.
* If Hayden Mullins is selected it would be his 200th appearance for the
club, while James Collins is a game away from a century of career matches.
* West Ham United are next in action on Wednesday when they have the small
matter of a trip to the champions Manchester United. Arsenal have an equally
important night when they play host to old rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Last time out
Sunday 19 October - Hull City 1-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert (Di Michele 73), Neill, Upson, Ilunga,
Behrami, Parker, Noble, Etherington (Sears 83), Bellamy, Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Mullins, Davenport
Tuesday 21 October - Fenerbahce 2-5 Arsenal
Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Song, Silvestre, Clichy, Walcott (Djourou 84),
Fabregas, Diaby (Ramsey 73), Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor (Vela 86)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Van Persie, Bendtner, Gibbs
Goals: Adebayor 10, Walcott 11, Diaby 21, Song 49, Ramsey 90
Team news
* New signing Diego Tristan will not feature again as the striker continues
to work on his fitness. The manager has got defender James Collins and
midfielder Lee Bowyer back in contention.
* Mark Noble is definitely missing through a calf muscle tear that could
keep him out for a month, with Luis Boa Morte, Hayden Mullins and Jack
Collison all possible replacements. The trio each performed well for the
reserves in their midweek 1-0 win against Arsenal reserves. Junior Stanislas
scored the goal to underline his progress.
* Jonathan Spector (hip) will be at Sunday's match and is expected to resume
training next week, when he will be joined by fellow defender James Tomkins
after his medial knee ligament injury suffered in the summer. Young striker
Zavon Hines is also due to return to training next week after his knee
problem.
* Dean Ashton remains a long-term absentee with his left ankle injury but
Kieron Dyer has been a welcome sight back at the Chadwell Heath pitches. He
has been taking part in light training but is still three weeks away at
least from stepping up to full training. Danny Gabbidon is progressing well
with his abdominal injury but no date has been set for his return.
* Arsenal are hopeful that William Gallas (hamstring) and Kolo Toure
(shoulder) could be fit to play in Sunday's game but Bacary Sagna (knee)
will miss out. Eduardo (knee) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are both still
out with long-term injuries.
West Ham United defender Matthew Upson said: "We perhaps should have won
[the last two matches] but didn't so now we need to win a couple that
we're not expected to do well in. We know we have a real job on our hands
this weekend though. In terms of passing and moving, which is what attacking
play is all about, Arsenal are probably the best in the league."
Background
The last meeting of the clubs was Arsenal's 2-0 win on New Year's Day this
year.
The lineups were:
Arsenal: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Hleb 77), Fabregas,
Flamini, Rosicky (Diaby 88), Eduardo (Walcott 63), Adebayor
Subs not used: Lehmann, Song
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Pantsil, Mullins
(Camara 77), Spector, Noble, Ljungberg (Collison 37), Cole (Ashton 71)
Subs not used: Wright, Tomkins
* Luis Boa Morte spent two years at Arsenal between June 1997 and August
1999, making 39 appearances and scoring four goals in all competitions.
* Matthew Upson was with Arsenal between May 1997 and January 2003, getting
56 run-outs in all competitions.
West Ham United may have lost the two meetings between the clubs last season
(2-0 away, 1-0 at home on 29 September) but they were undefeated in the four
previous fixtures, including a draw and then three successive wins.
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
1 January 2008 - Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
29 September 2007 - West Ham United 0-1 Arsenal
7 April 2007 - Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United
5 November 2006 - West Ham United 1-0 Arsenal
1 February 2006 - Arsenal 2-3 West Ham United
24 September 2005 - West Ham United 0-0 Arsenal
Overall record v Arsenal (all competitions): W 33, D 36, L 49
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Saturday 25 October (3pm unless stated)
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough (5.30pm)
Everton v Manchester United (12pm)
Sunderland v Newcastle United (12.45pm)
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City
Sunday 26 October (3pm unless stated)
Chelsea v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Manchester City v Stoke City
Portsmouth v Fulham (5pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
General information
Click here for ticket information. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here
Weather: The forecast is for a cloudy day with some sunshine. The
temperature is set to be around 12C.
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Miller sent out on loan
WHUFC.com
Promising young right-back Ashley Miller has joined Conference South outfit
Bishop's Stortford on loan
24.10.2008
Young defender Ashley Miller has joined Bishop's Stortford on a month's
loan. The 19-year-old full-back could make his debut for the Conference
South team away to Dorchester Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on
Saturday. The winners will enter the first round proper. Miller, who gained
valuable experience on the first-team's pre-season tour of North America,
has played once for the reserves this season and also had three games at
Under-18 level. Youth-team captain Josh Payne is on loan at League One
outfit Cheltenham Town.
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Zola has plenty to consider
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola could have James Collins and Lee Bowyer on Sunday and has
updated on Kieron Dyer
25.10.2008
Gianfranco Zola has been busy preparing his squad for the visit of London
rivals Arsenal on Sunday while there is encouraging signs for Kieron Dyer.
James Collins and Lee Bowyer are back in contention after recovering from
injuries but Mark Noble will miss out after damaging his calf in training
this week. Diego Tristan will also be given more time to prove his fitness.
Zola said: "We have Mark Noble who is going to be out for a few weeks. He
just had a tear problem in his calf and that is the bad news. But we have
Lee Bowyer coming back from injury and James Collins will be available for
the game."
The manager went along to watch the reserves in midweek action, and was
impressed by what he saw in the 1-0 home win against Arsenal's second
string. Hayden Mullins, Luis Boa Morte and Jack Collison all staked their
claim for a starting berth in the midfield. The latter only turned 20 this
month but Zola is confident in the club's emerging talents. "There are some
young players coming through who can become important players," he said.
Of Dyer, who was involved in Friday morning's training session with the rest
of the first-team squad as he gets close to a return after over a year out
with a double leg-break, Zola said: "He is not far away but this is the most
delicate time. He is progressing very well. We are bringing him with us to
do the first part of the job that we do [in training] but he still needs a
little bit of time. He can't really tackle and do things like that. He is
doing OK and we are really pleased. "
Meanwhile, Jonathan Spector is due back at the club this weekend ahead of
resuming training. He had summer surgery on a hip injury and has been
working hard on his recovery in the United States. Also, set to be involved
next week after a medial knee ligament injury he picked up on England
Under-19 duty is James Tomkins. Finally, Dean Ashton has also reported good
early progress on his rehab from an ankle injury, and has been a regular
back at the training ground. He has discarded the crutches and already
started swimming and cycling, although no date has yet been put on his
return in the New Year.
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Noble crocked
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's injury woes are set to continue after it was revealed that
Mark Noble is likely to be out for around four weeks. The 21-year-old
midfielder picked up a knock in training earlier in the week and will be out
until mid-November at the earliest - meaning he will miss the games against
Arsenal, Manchester United, Middlesbrough and Everton, at least. News of the
England under 21 international's condition was revealed by Gianfranco Zola
during today's pre-match press conference. "Mark is going to be out for a
few weeks with a torn calf," confirmed the new Hammers boss. "That is the
bad news; it happened in training." Noble's injury leaves the gate open for
Hayden Mullins to return to the fold. Only yesterday the former Crystal
Palace midfielder expressed his concern over a lack of first team
opportunities in recent weeks. However Zola will also be able to call upon
both Jack Collison and Lee Bowyer should he decide to follow an alternative
route.
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West Ham v Arsenal preview
SSN
Watch the London derby live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1
Last updated: 24th October 2008
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 1 Arsenal 3
Sky Bet odds: West Ham 6/1, Draw 12/5, Arsenal 8/13
One to Watch: Theo Walcott
West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Hull when they
face an Arsenal side fresh from a fantastic night in Turkey, live on Sky
Sports 1 and HD 1 on Sunday. The Hammers made a bright start to life under
new manager Gianfranco Zola with back-to-back victories over Newcastle and
Fulham. However, they then lost at home to Bolton and are now eighth in the
table after becoming the latest scalp for Premier League new boys Hull last
weekend. Zola will consider his strike options after Craig Bellamy and
Carlton Cole drew a blank against the Tigers, with David Di Michele and
Freddie Sears possible alternatives. Recent signing Diego Tristan is
unlikely to make the side as he continues to build up his match fitness.
Dean Ashton (ankle), Kieron Dyer (leg), Jonathan Spector (knee) and Danny
Gabbidon (stomach) all remain sidelined.
Arsenal were in scintillating form as they crushed Fenerbahce 5-2 in the
UEFA Champions League in midweek and will hope to turn in a repeat
performance at Upton Park. The Gunners have been unable to find much
consistency in the Premier League this season and Arsene Wenger has already
admitted that his side cannot afford to lose any more games. Wenger will
regard the coming fortnight as an opportunity to put more pressure on the
league leaders as Arsenal face struggling rivals Tottenham next Wednesday
and then newly-promoted Stoke. The French tactician has been boosted by the
news that Eduardo should be fit by the middle of next month, while Bacary
Sagna is likely to return against Tottenham.
Emmanuel Eboue is set to continue at right-back against West Ham in Sagna's
absence, while the fitness of Kolo Toure (shoulder) and William Gallas
(hamstring) will be assessed closer to kick-off after both players sat out
the game with Fenerbahce. Wenger may be reluctant to rotate his front six
but Robin van Persie may come in alongside Emmanuel Adebayor up front with
one of the midfielders making way. Nicklas Bendtner is also available after
shaking off a slight knock.
Possible starting XIs :
West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, IIunga, Behrami, Faubert, Parker, Noble,
Etherington, Bellamy, Di Michele.
Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Silvestre, Song, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Diaby,
Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor.
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Gianfranco Zola at his best inspiring West Ham's next generation
Remember that Gianfranco Zola goal for Chelsea in an FA Cup tie against
Norwich in 2002?
Telegraph
By Jim White
Last Updated: 10:04PM BST 24 Oct 2008
The one where, as a corner swung in, he ran from the penalty spot to the
near post and deftly back-flicked the ball into the net with his right
instep? It was a goal of such audacity it left many who were there wondering
if they had really seen what they just thought they had seen. "Fantasy," his
manager Claudio Ranieri called it.
Well he was at it again earlier this week. Though this time the setting was
somewhat less salubrious than a packed Stamford Bridge: an astro turf pitch
flanked by the A13 flyover and the now disused artificial ski slope that was
once known as the Beckton Alps. And, as he demonstrated the skill not once
but twice, the match - a cheery kickaround involving a bunch of
nine-year-olds from a primary school in this deprived ward in London's East
End - was not quite as elevated.
Indeed both times he performed his magic trick, although executed perfectly
to project the ball into the path of a young team-mate, it so astonished his
colleague that the ball rolled harmlessly out of play. Nevertheless the grin
that broke across his face (and that of the three people watching from the
touchline) suggested it had not gone unnoticed.
"You like that?" he said after the game, a huge smile still settled across
his features. "I tell you what, I not lost it."
The new West Ham manager was in Beckton to observe a project funded by the
Premier League and the Professional Footballers Association and run by his
club. The scheme - which has been running since March this year - involves
recruiting 12 youngsters from the Newham and Tower Hamlets areas and
teaching them to become sports coaches. Already the happy Hammer dozen are
giving high-quality lessons in football, basketball and athletics to over
1,000 youngsters a week.
By the time they have finished the year-long course, the idea is that they
will then coach the next dozen recruits, thus providing not only sound
employment in an area not exactly over-burdened with opportunity, but also
developing a continually expanding cadre of positive role models to offer
children a visible alternative path to criminal behaviour.
"I tell you what," said Mick King of West Ham's Community Sports Trust. "I
have never been as proud of anything we have ever done as I am of these
coaches. They are the future of our game."
Zola was there to offer the young coaches both encouragement and the benefit
of his wisdom. For him, this was no mere photo opportunity. He spent more
than two hours in Beckton, meeting the coaches, acting as a guinea pig in
their training sessions, making sure he joined in games involving every
single one of the hundred children who turned up.
"I've had so much from this game, when you do things like this you feel you
are giving something back," he said. "It is something I encourage everyone
to do, my players but also managers. Right now I haven't got much time. As
you can imagine, it's quite busy my time. I don't know if a manager is
expected to do this, but when I have the opportunity, it's a good feeling."
Zola was a visible embodiment of his abiding philosophy. He ran round the
pitch chivvying and grinning, ruffling hair and encouraging, a whirlwind of
energy and encouragement.
"The players are a mirror of your mood," he told the coaches before the
session started. "If you come in angry, they will be angry. If your
shoulders are down, their shoulders will be down. Smile, be happy, enjoy.
And they will smile and enjoy too."
It is an attitude, he explained afterwards, he takes into training every
morning with his new charges.
"It is the same with professionals as it is with kids," he said. "My
personal opinion is that the character of the team is very close to the
character of the manager. You have to show them you are enjoying it so that
they can get joy from what they do. That way good football comes."
The word is his attitude has already affected change at his new place of
work. Despite presiding over a club whose finances are melting faster than
the polar ice cap, training has been chivvied up, players are staying all
day, volunteering for extra sessions, relishing working with a man whose
enthusiasm is infectious.
"It was great meeting him and talking with him," said Kieran Joseph, 19, one
of the trainee coaches. "And what he said was right. I remember being at
school and if a teacher come into the classroom angry, then I'd be angry
straight away. You got to be up with these kids all the time. Then they'll
stick with the game."
Which, of course, is part of the purpose of the project.
"Look, I'm not going to pretend this 100 per cent charitable, yes, these
kids are our future," said Scott Duxbury, West Ham's chief executive as he
observed from the touchline as his manager joined in a game with eight
delighted nine-year-olds. "But this is the purest form of marketing. It is
about creating the next generation of football fans, not necessarily West
Ham fans."
And if the youngsters playing with the club's new boss do turn up at the
Boleyn Ground he promises they will appreciate what they find almost as much
as kicking the ball around with him.
"I enjoy very much being manager," Zola said. "Well, I enjoy when we win.
When we lose it's not the same. But I have a lot of confidence in my
players. I'm very pleased to be with this team, to be involved, to help them
get better. And you see on Sunday against Arsenal, it is a huge opportunity
for me and my players. I admire very much Mr Wenger, he is a great manager,
I know we are playing a very good team. But good reputations sometimes come
through winning games like this one. I will gamble and go for a win. I like
to gamble."
And with that, he was off back to training and preparing, jogging to his
car, in a hurry to get on with the job of putting a smile back on West Ham
faces.
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Hammers must wait for Tristan
by Chris Stanton, 24 October 2008
Setanta
Gianfranco Zola claims it will be a few more weeks yet before Diego Tristan
is ready to make his West Ham debut. The 32-year-old has joined The Hammers
on a free transfer following his release by Italian side Livorno in the
summer but must hone his match fitness before being handed his Premier
League baptism. "He's not ready yet," Zola told Setanta Sports News. "He's
been doing very well and his fitness is improving a lot but it will take him
a couple of more weeks for him to be ready." Zola's West Ham face Arsenal on
Sunday and the Italian has revealed how he hopes to follow in the footsteps
of Arsene Wenger. Wenger has nurtured some of the country's finest
footballing talent and The Hammers' commitment to bringing through young
players was what persuaded him to swap his post with the Italian Under-21s
for a role in the East End. He said: "The project that [chief executive]
Scott Duxbury and [sporting director] Gianluca Nani told me about was to
take young players from here and the rest of the world and develop them.
"That's the part of the job I like the most, helping players get better with
every training session. It was the only reason I came here. The plan is to
compete with the big teams by taking a group of young players and helping
them develop."
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Noble Out For Gunners Clash
Goal.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble has been ruled out of this weekend's
clash with Arsenal. The Hammers will be looking to recover from
disappointing back-to-back defeats against Bolton Wanderers and Hull City,
but will now be forced to manage without Noble against the Gunners at Upton
Park. The England Under-21 midfielder tore a calf muscle in training this
week and now faces around three weeks on the sidelines. It causes further
problems for club boss Gianfranco Zola. Zola is already managing without
star striker Dean Ashton, who is out long-term as are defenders Danny
Gabbidon and Jon Spector. "We have Mark Noble who is going to be
unfortunately out for a few weeks with a tear problem in his calf,"
confirmed Zola. "That is the bad news. It happened in training this week."
It has been a frustrating time for Noble so far this season with a hernia
problem, a hamstring strain and a suspension keeping him off the pitch for
long periods.
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Miller joins Bishop's Stortford on loan
7:03pm Friday 24th October 2008
Echo
WEST Ham United teenager Ashley Miller has joined Conference South side
Bishop's Stortford on a month's loan. Full-back Miller, 19, could make his
debut away to Dorchester Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on
Saturday. A regular in the Irons' youth team, Miller has played three
Barclays Premier Reserve League games this season. The youngster joins Josh
Payne, who is on loan at League One side Cheltenham Town, in leaving Upton
Park temporarily to gain first-team experience this term.
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WEST HAM v Arsenal: Noble out for a month after picking up calf injury in
training
By Sportsmail Reporter
Daily Mail
Last updated at 7:02 PM on 24th October 2008
West Ham will be without midfielder Mark Noble for a month after the England
Under-21 star tore his calf in training. The Hammers will also be without
Kieron Dyer - expected to be out for another three weeks - and Spanish
striker Diego Tristan. But Lee Bowyer and James Collins are both back in
contention, with the former Leeds man in with a chance of starting in place
of Noble.
Squad (from): Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Di
Michele, Bellamy, Etherington, Sears, Cole, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte,
Mullins, Davenport, Bowyer, Collins.
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Zola to follow Wenger blueprint
TeamTalk
Gianfranco Zola wants to follow Arsene Wenger's recipe for success by
recruiting the best young players from all over the world. The Italian has
revealed he was tempted to take the Upton Park job because of the club's
plans to revive their reputation as the Academy of Football. And he
revealed it is Wenger's blueprint that he plans to follow as he looks to
build a dynasty in the East End. He said: "The project that Scott Duxbury
and Gianluca Nani told me about was to take young players from here and the
rest of the world and develop them. "That's the part of the job I like the
most, helping players get better with every training session. "It was the
only reason I came here. The plan is to compete with the big teams by taking
a group of young players and helping them develop."
Zola will get his first taste of taking on the Premier League's big four on
Sunday as Wenger's side visit Upton Park. It is a test the Chelsea legend is
relishing, but he knows he is facing a fearsome task to turn around the
slump his side are enduring. They have lost their last two games, at Hull
and at home to Bolton, while Arsenal are on a high after their Champions
League destruction of Fenerbahce. And Zola revealed it is that sort of
performance which makes him believe Arsenal might be the best side to watch
in the world. He said: "They play the best football of any team in this
country and possibly in any other country. "But we will go out and attack
them like we always do. There is no point sitting and waiting for them and
trying to defend against Arsenal because they will always find a way
through. "They have players like Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott who are
wonderful players. "I really like Walcott. He is a regular in his national
side but is only very young. He is very talented.
"You have to admire the way Arsene Wenger manages. He has had a great
influence on the game in this country and he is one of the best managers in
the world.
"I have only met him once since I arrived. We saw each other in a hotel and
we had a quick chat, but no more than that. "But I will not lose any sleep
about this game or the one against Manchester United on Sunday. These are
the games that made me want to come to England. "I will tell my players that
yes, these games are dangerous because you can lose at home. But your
confidence is very high if you win because you have beaten a good team. "You
can use that for the rest of your season. You have got to have faith in your
players and be brave enough to do things your way."
In his seven years at Chelsea, the Italian never once tasted success in a
Premier League game against the Gunners. In 12 appearances against Wenger's
side, Zola notched three goals but could only manage eight defeats and four
draws. He added: "Maybe that will change as a manager! "They have always
been very hard to play against and even harder to beat but things can always
change."
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Noble faces month on the sidelines
TeamTalk
West Ham will be without midfielder Mark Noble against Arsenal after he tore
his calf in training - and he faces a month on the sidelines. The Hammers
will also be without Kieron Dyer - expected to be out for another three
weeks - and Spanish striker Diego Tristan. But Lee Bowyer and James Collins
are both back in contention, with the former Leeds man in with a chance of
starting in place of Noble.
Hammers (from): Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Di
Michele, Bellamy, Etherington, Sears, Cole, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte,
Mullins, Davenport, Bowyer, Collins.
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Noble ruled out as Dyer approaches first-team comeback
4:43pm Friday 24th October 2008
Echo
By Rob Pritchard >
WEST Ham United have been hit by yet another injury blow with the news that
Mark Noble will be out for a month with a torn calf muscle. The England
Under-21 midfielder was hurt during a session at the club's Chadwell Heath
training ground this week. The calf problem is the latest in a series of
setbacks for Noble, who missed parts of last season with a hernia problem
and later a hamstring strain. It is also bad news for Hammers' manager
Gianfranco Zola, who has already lost Dean Ashton to a long-term ankle
injury and is also without defenders Danny Gabbidon and Jon Spector. "We
have Mark Noble who is going to be unfortunately out for a few weeks with a
tear problem in his calf," said Zola. "That is the bad news. It happened in
training."
The fit-again Lee Bowyer, Hayden Mullins, Wales international Jack Collison
and Luis Boa Morte will battle to take the absent Noble's place in the team
for Sunday's Premier League visit of Arsenal to Upton Park. However, Zola
has received some positive injury news with Kieron Dyer set to resume full
training within the next three weeks. The England forward, out since August
2007 with a broken leg suffered in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers, has
resumed light training with the remainder of the first-team squad. Dyer's
return has been delayed by shin splints suffered during his rehabilitation,
but the former Ipswich Town and Newcastle United star's injury nightmare
would appear to be approaching an end. Meanwhile, Wales international
defender James Collins will be included in Zola's matchday squad for the
first time against the Gunners after completing his recovery from a
long-term knee ligament injury. Basildon-based James Tomkins, who has been
out with a medial knee ligament problem suffered during the UEFA European
Under-19 Championship in July, is also set to resume full training on
Monday.
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Ashton Facing Long Spell Out
The Sun
By MARK GILBERT
Published: Today
DEAN ASHTON has dealt West Ham a blow by revealing he is unlikely to be back
in first-team contention until the end of the season. The England striker
sprained his ankle in Gianfranco Zola's first training session in charge
last month and was expected to be out of action for three weeks. But the
injury is more severe than first thought and he has admitted he will miss
most of the Hammers' campaign. Ashton told his official website: "I've not
been given a date as to when I'll return. It's more a case of it being at
the end of the season and I'll be really happy if I can play my part in the
team then. "That's looking more likely at the moment. "The club have been
very supportive. Zola has been really good. He's rung up to wish me well.
He's been a real gentleman about it all. "It's just a small thing but it's
just nice for me to know I'm in the manager's thoughts. "My spirits are a
lot higher now I'm off my crutches - I've been off them for a week. I am
working hard at my rehab already and I feel like I am on the way back. "The
worst bit is over. It's so good to be active. I've started cycling and
swimming again already, which bodes well for my recovery time. "I have had
ankle problems in the past but I'm not sure if this is a flare-up of the old
injury, even though it is the same ankle I broke in England training. "I
don't know if it was the recent sprain that exacerbated it either. It's not
anything that can be explained to be honest. "Basically there were pieces of
bone floating around inside my ankle and they had to come out. Surgery was
the only option. "I saw James Calder, the ankle specialist here in England.
I've also seen Van Dyke in Holland. He did the surgery on Cristiano
Ronaldo's ankle over the summer. So I have been in good hands."
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Noble Out for a Month
West Ham Till I Die
More bad news on the injury front today. Mark Noble has torn a calf muscle
and will be out for around four weeks. It will be interesting to see how
Zola reforms the midfield four. The obvious replacement is Mullins, I
suppose, but I wonder whether Lee Bowyer might be brought in from the cold
instead.
I don't really see the team for the Arsenal game changing very much. Reports
suggest that James Collins is pushing for a place, having had an excellent
game for Wales against Germany the week before last. But I can't see Zola
dropping his captain.
Just a word about the snide comments in the previous post. I don't need
advice on how to run this blog. If people don't like it, they cam frankly
bugger off elsewhere. Unlike some other blogs I don't just post for the sake
of it. I also have a very busy schedule at the moment. I've thought about
having a couple of people helping me with it, but it wouldn't be the same
then, I don't think. There have always been periods when I don't post so
often, and the last few weeks has been one of those. That's life.
I won't be at the Arsenal game. I will be flying over the Med on my way to
Israel for a few days. Just a shame it isn't a holiday.
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