WHUFC.com
West Ham United have been boosted by the presence of Danny Gabbidon during
the Austrian training camp
13.07.2009
Danny Gabbidon has touched down in Austria and is ready to take the next
steps on his road to recovery after a successful first outing for the club
in 18 months.
The 29-year-old defender played the second half of the 2-1 friendly win
against Grays Athletic on Sunday and, aside from tiredness, came through
unscathed. He then boarded the flight to Austria early on Monday morning
with the rest of the squad - including new recruit Luis Jimenez who said
'hello' to his team-mates for the first time - ahead of a ten-day training
camp.
"It feels really good to be back," said Gabbidon, who last played a
first-team fixture in December 2008. "It has been quite a long time. I have
had a few problems with injuries. It was nice to have a run-out at Grays and
we got a good result as well so it was a good start to pre-season."
The arrival of Jimenez has given everyone an extra lift and Gabbidon said he
was looking forward to seeing more new recruits. "Luis is a very good player
so he will be a good addition to the squad. We did really well last season,
I thought, so we will be looking to improve on that this season. If we can
bring in a couple of quality players that is going to help things. I look
forward to training with him."
Regardless of who he will be lining up alongside on the training pitches out
in Austria, the Wales centre-back is just delighted to be pulling on his
boots again. He explained his absence had come about after an intensive few
years of top-level football. "It has just been a bit of wear and tear really
from playing so long with a few problems and I just carried on playing. It
kind of got worse.
"I developed some problems with my back and groin and it just proved quite
hard to get rid of the problem. I have had to be patient. I have done a lot
of work with the physios at West Ham and finally I have got there and it is
nice to be back out on the pitch and performing in a West Ham shirt.
"There are a lot more games throughout pre-season so hopefully by the time
the season comes around I will be in good shape and ready to go."
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Hammers arrive in Austria
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are settling into their surroundings at the start of the
club's ten-day training camp
13.07.2009
The West Ham United squad arrived in Graz in Austria on Monday after an
early morning flight from London and quickly set about making themselves at
home in their new surroundings.
The players were led off the plane by manager Gianfranco Zola into beautiful
sunshine before heading by coach to their pretty hotel in the rural village
of Bad Radkersburg, their base for the next ten days.
New arrival Luis Jimenez joined up with his new team-mates for the first
time and pointedly went to every member of the squad to shake hands and
introduce himself. Jimenez was joined a the airport by England trio Matthew
Upson, Robert Green and Carlton Cole after they were given an extra week's
holiday following their exertions with the Three Lions in June.
The majority of the group that featured in the 2-1 friendly win at Grays
Athletic on Sunday also travelled along with Luis Boa Morte, Valon Behrami
and Scott Parker. Canada Under-20 goalkeeper Adam Street is also in Austria
with the first-team party, as is reserve team captain Bondz N'Gala, Austria
U19 midfielder Georg Grasser and promising youngsters Oliver Lee and Anthony
Edgar, who signed their first professional contracts with the club last
month.
Meanwhile, those players involved in the international tournaments at the
tail end of last season are expected to join the rest of the squad in
Austria over the next few days. Dean Ashton and Terry Dixon are the only
absentees as they have both stayed behind in England to work on their own
individual training programmes.
Zola and his coaching staff are expected to work their players hard, with
double training sessions scheduled for non-match-days. The players will also
be able to keep fit by cycling to and from their hotel to the training
pitches.
The competitive action during the trip will be provided in the shape of four
friendlies with Flavia Solva the first opponents in Wagna on Wednesday.
German Cup holders Werder Bremen follow on Saturday, with Turkish side
Bursaspor providing the opposition on Wednesday 22 July. The trip concludes
with a game against ND Nura a short hop over the border in Slovenia on
Thursday 23 July
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SJH in cancer battle
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 13th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammers striker John Hartson has been diagnosed with brain and
testicular cancer. 34-year-old Hartson is understood to have been diagnosed
with the illness after admitting himself to hospital having recently
suffered a bout of severe headaches. According to The Sun, doctors initially
diagnosed testicular cancer - which they later discovered had spread to the
former striker's brain. A friend of Hartson's said: "John had complained of
really bad headaches recently. It reached the stage where he felt something
was seriously wrong. "It's devastating news. His father is at his bedside
and worried sick. But the doctors are upbeat about his prospects and
chemotherapy will begin right away. John is a big, strong man. "Throughout
his career he was a battler - he'll fight this with everything he's got."
Hartson began his career with Luton as a trainee in 1992 before landing a
dream move to Arsenal three years later. However he failed to make an
impression at Highbury and was frozen out after the arrival of Dennis
Bergkamp. Then-Hammers manager Harry Redknapp snapped Hartson up for £3.2m
in February 1997 along with Paul Kitson of Newcastle, and the pair played a
major part in helping United avoid relegation that season. The following
season (1997/98) Hartson became one of the Premiership's most prolific
strikers, scoring 24 goals - 17 of which came before Christmas - as the
Hammers finished eighth in the league whilst making the quarter-finals of
both domestic cup competitions (where they lost to Arsenal twice). However
by the end of 1998 Hartson had begun to experience weight and fitness
problems - something that blighted his career thereafter. That, combined
with a lack of goals (he scored just four in the first half of the 1998/99
season) plus a much-publicised training ground incident involving Eyal
Berkovic led to him being sold by Redknapp to Winbledon for (an astonishing)
£7.5m in January 1999.
Hartson stayed with the Dons for two seasons before enjoying spells with
Coventry, Celtic, West Brom and Norwich - although he never managed to
recapture the form of 97/98 which had made him one of the most feared
strikers in the Premiership. 'Super Johnny' Hartson - as he was once known
by the Boleyn faithful - played a total of 73 times for West Ham United,
scoring 33 goals. He hung up his boots two years ago at the age of just 32
having been released by West Bromwich Albion.
KUMB.com's best wishes go out to John and his family.
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Tristan weighing up options
Spanish striker set to make decision on his future
By Francisco Acedo Last updated: 13th July 2009
SSN
Diego Tristan could be set for a return to Spanish football after ending his
association with West Ham. The experienced striker signed a short term
contract with the Hammers in October, seeing out the 2008/09 campaign at
Upton Park. That deal has not been extended, though, and Tristan now finds
himself without a club. An agreement with Segunda Division outfit Recreativo
Huelva was believed to be in the pipeline, but nothing has been signed as
yet. Tristan is keen to keep his options open for now and is reported to
have received an interesting proposition from Croatian side Hajduk Split. He
is expected to make a decision regarding his future sometime this week,
having accepted that his time in England has come to an end. "My experience
with West Ham United was positive even though we were not able to continue
with the project," he said. "I am satisfied with my time in England and I am
looking to move on."
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ZOLA SEEKS EIDUR
The Star
14th July 2009 By Scott Coleman
GIANFRANCO ZOLA admits he may try to bring Eidur Gudjohnsen to West Ham on
loan for a season. Hammers boss Zola says he needs to boost his attacking
options and his former Chelsea team-mate has been made available by
Barcelona. But with funds limited at Upton Park, Zola may have to persuade
Barca to settle on a season-long loan to get Gudjohnsen to the club. Zola
said: "We are trying to spot what our weaknesses are. Certainly we need to
improve up front and that is the majority of the job."
Zola is convinced on-loan Chile forward Luis Jimenez can give West Ham
something extra in attack next season. Jimenez, 25, has joined up with the
group for the first time since sealing a season-long loan from Inter Milan
and Zola believes the attack-minded South American can prove a real asset.
Zola said: "He will give us something extra, especially in the last 30
metres. That is the kind of player we have got."
Defender Danny Gabbidon, 29, got his first taste of real action in 18 months
when he played against Grays on Sunday. A delighted Gabbidon said: "It has
been quite a long time. I had developed some problems with my back and
groin."
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Zola welcomes arrival of 'the wizard'
Jul 13 2009
Sunday Sun
Gianfranco Zola is convinced on-loan Chile forward Luis Jimenez can give
West Ham something extra in attack next season, but could yet move for old
team-mate Eidur Gudjohnsen. Zola believes the 25-year-old can prove a real
asset, but, with striker Dean Ashton still on the recovery trail, accepts
the Hammers could still do with another body in attack - which could see him
bid for Gudjohnsen, the former Chelsea man now surplus to requirements at
Barcelona. "He will give us something extra especially in the last 30
metres. That is the kind of player we have got," Zola said of Jimenez, the
man dubbed 'The Wizard'. The Hammers, who started their pre-season with a
2-1 win at local side Grays Athletic over the weekend, have travelled to
Austria for a 10-day training camp ahead of four warm-up games. However,
Zola added: "We are trying to spot what our weaknesses are. "Certainly we
need to improve up front and that is the majority of the job."
The Hammers, who will see the rest of their internationals join up with the
squad over the next few days after some extra time off, face Flavia Solva in
Wagna on Wednesday before games with German Cup holders Werder Bremen,
Turkish side Bursaspor, then against ND Nura in Slovenia on July 23. Zola's
men will also head out to China for the Barclays Asia Trophy as part of
their pre-season campaign.
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Report: Sunderland Submit Bid For West Ham United's James Collins
The defender could be set to join his brother, Daniel, at the Stadium of
Light...
14 Jul 2009 00:31:42
Sunderland are seeking to continue their defensive reinforcement by tabling
a bid for West Ham United's James Collins. The Black Cats have just
completed the signing of Paraguay international Paulo da Silva, but Steve
Bruce is keen for more defenders. According to The Daily Mail, the
Wearsiders have now submitted a £5 million bid for Collins. West Ham have no
shortage of central defenders, so Bruce believes Gianfranco Zola could be
tempted to part with the Welshman to raise some extra transfer funds. In
addition, Collins could be lured to the Stadium of Light to join his
brother, Daniel, who is already at the club. Celtic have also shown an
interest in the player in recent times.
Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
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ZOLA IS GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE
Daily Express
Tuesday July 14,2009
By Alex Steels Have your say(0)
Gianfranco Zola is convinced on-loan Chile forward Luis Jimenez can give
West Ham something extra in attack next season – but could yet move for old
team-mate Eidur Gudjohnsen. Jimenez, 25, joined up with the group for the
first time since sealing a season-long loan from Inter Milan.And Zola
believes he can prove a real asset with striker Dean Ashton still on the
recovery trail from his long injury lay-off . "Jimenez will give us
something extra especially in the last 30 metres," he said . Zola, who is
also interested in Gudjohnsen, added: "We are trying to spot what our
weaknesses are. Certainly we need to improve up front."
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Stoke target left at home by Irons
TeamTalk
Dean Ashton did not travel with the rest of the West Ham squad to Austria on
Monday, increasing speculation he is closing on a move to Stoke. Stoke
chairman Peter Coates revealed last month that the Potters had made an
enquiry about Ashton, and Tony Pulis has since confirmed the former Crewe
man is a player he would like to sign this summer. It is understood the
Potters have held advanced talks with Ashton, who is keen to return to
north, and are hoping to conclude a deal as quickly as possible as they bid
to get their summer transfer business underway. West Ham chief executive
Scott Duxbury has publicly played down the prospect of Ashton leaving this
summer but it is believed Gianfranco Zola is willing to let go of a player
that has struggled with injuries at Upton Park. The 25-year-old had
originally set his sights on a return to action before the end of last
season, and the Hammers have since declared him back to full fitness and
ready for pre-season. However, Ashton was not even on the bench against
Grays on Sunday despite originally being named in the squad and he did not
travel with the party to Austria on Monday, with the club website stating he
will work on his 'individual training programme'. It has only served to
increase speculation he is set to join Stoke, however, and Zola has
confirmed his interest in Eidur Gudjohnsen and now backed on-loan forward
Luis Jimenez for big things this coming season. "He will give us something
extra especially in the last 30 metres. That is the kind of player we have
got," Zola said of Jimenez, the man dubbed 'The Wizard'. However, Zola
added: "We are trying to spot what our weaknesses are. "Certainly we need to
improve up front and that is the majority of the job."
The Hammers, who will see the rest of their internationals join up with the
squad over the next few days after some extra time off, face Flavia Solva in
Wagna on Wednesday before games with German Cup holders Werder Bremen,
Turkish side Bursaspor, then against ND Nura in Slovenia on July 23. Zola's
men will also head out to China for the Barclays Asia Trophy as part of
their pre-season campaign.
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Former West Ham striker John Hartson is battling cancer
Evening Standard
13.07.09
Former Arsenal and West Ham striker John Hartson is battling cancer,
according to reports. The 34-year-old, who became the country's most
expensive teenager when signing for George Graham's Arsenal in 1995, has
been diagnosed with testicular cancer which has now spread to his brain,
according to the Scottish Sun. He was given the news at the weekend
following tests at the Singleton Hospital in Swansea after complaining of
severe headaches. After starring for West Ham, Hartson moved to Wimbledon
for £7.5m. However he was plagued with injuries and signed for Celtic in
2001 in a £6million deal. During a five-year period, he scored 89 league
goals for Celtic and was voted Player of the Year by both his fellow
professionals and the Scottish Football Writers Association. A Celtic
spokesperson told www.celticfcnet: "John Hartson is a man whom Celtic
Football Club has immense respect and affection for. "He has served the
club, and the game of football in general, with distinction over many years.
"Clearly, everyone at the club fully supports John and his family at this
extremely difficult time. "It is very difficult for us to understand what
John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to
a great Celtic player. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Celtic family
are with John at this time."
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Ex-West Ham Star Diego Tristan Mooting Spain Return
After leaving the Hammers, the former Spain international is looking for a
new club...
13 Jul 2009 09:50:02
Diego Tristan is hoping for a return to Spanish football after being refused
a new deal by West Ham United and wants to start pre-season training soon.
The 33-year-old Andalucian striker was tipped to join Recreativo de Huelva,
but nothing has yet been confirmed and other options could yet arise.
Earlier in the year, Tristan stated that he would be prepared to remain in
England for another year, but if that was not possible then he would like to
go back to la Primera before retiring. "My experience with West Ham United
was positive even though we were not able to continue with the project," he
was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "I am satisfied with my time in England
and I am looking to move on." The former Real Mallorca, Deportivo and
Livorno forward scored three goals in 14 appearances for the Hammers, but
that was not enough to earn another season at the club.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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Zola joins Gudjohnsen race
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 13 July 2009 - 8:15 AM
Former Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsenis interesting
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola.The 30-year-old Iceland
international has spent the last three seasons with Barcelona but is keen to
return to the Premier League after seeing his first-chances at the Camp Nou
become increasingly limited. Aston Villa, Everton and Fulham have also been
linked with Gudjohnsen but the Hammers could beat them all to his signature.
Zola told Sky Sports News: "Eidur is certainly a very, very good player. I
am sure West Ham are not the only team who are looking for a good player
like him. "We are trying to spot what our weaknesses can be. Certainly we
need to improve up front and that a big part of my job."
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Tristan has no complaints about West Ham experience
14.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Diego Tristan has no complaints over his time at West Ham United. The Spain
striker is in talks with Recreativo Huelva and said: "My experience with
West Ham United was positive even though we were not able to continue with
the project. "I am satisfied with my time in England and I am looking to
move on."
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GERMANS WANT FLOP FAUBERT 14/07/2009
The Mirror
West Ham flop Julien Faubert is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen. France
international Faubert (above), 25, spent the end of last season on loan at
Real Madrid but barely played. West Ham do not want their £5m signing back
and are ready to do a cutprice deal, with Leverkusen hoping to get him for
around £1m.
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