WHUFC.com
The chance to maintain his FIFA World Cup dream is firing Jonathan Spector
10.11.2009
Jonathan Spector is away with the United States as they prepare for two
friendly matches this week - although he will not be heading out of Europe
this time.
The US meet Slovakia this Saturday in Bratislava before heading north to
take on Denmark in Aarhus next Wednesday. Spector has established himself as
his country's first-choice right-back and helped them to qualify last month
for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. Both Slovakia and Denmark will also be
at next summer's extravaganza in South Africa as well so it promises to be
an illuminating week.
Spector is eager to remain in the forefront of coach Bob Bradley's thoughts,
especially as he had the pain of missing out on the 2006 World Cup because
of injury. "It would be a huge honour to represent my country on the world
stage," he said. "I missed the last one in Germany and the Olympics, so I
have had a little bit of misfortune when it comes to international
competitions."
He is drawing on the success of this summer's FIFA Confederations Cup for
inspiration, one tournament he did have the chance to take part in after
overcoming his previous injury hassles. The 23-year-old played all five
games at right-back as the US went all the way to the final. He has a total
of 21 caps.
Spector, who said his team's triumph against Spain back in July during that
top-level competition in South Africa - held as a warm-up for the main event
12 months later - demonstrated they can compete with the best, believed "the
most important thing" was for his country to progress from the group stage
next summer.
He took his good international form into the domestic season with West Ham
United. However, having started the season by playing at left-back in the
first three games, Spector then sat out the next five fixtures with Herita
Ilunga's return from a fractured jaw suffered on the opening day.
For him to stay in World Cup contention, Spector is aware he has to be
playing regularly for his club side. He forced his way back into the
starting lineup in his more familiar right-back role for the 2-2 draw
against Arsenal three weeks ago and then kept his place there as the team
achieved the same result at Sunderland.
Spector dropped to the bench last Wednesday against Aston Villa but got an
early call to enter the fray when Ilunga limped off with a hamstring
problem. That meant he switched to left-back and he more than played his
part in the 2-1 win, keeping his place in Sunday's reverse by the same score
at the hands of Everton.
Such a run indicated how invaluable Spector's versatility is to the squad.
Although he naturally wants to play every game, he knows it is up to him to
prove his worth to the manager. "For any player if they are not playing it
is frustrating but you have to keep your chin up. You have to keep working
hard and wait for your opportunity. Playing games for West Ham will
certainly help me with the national team."
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Gabbs set for Saturday
WHUFC.com
Danny Gabbidon is looking to return with Wales on Saturday but Jack Collison
is out
09.11.2009
Danny Gabbidon could return to the new Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday as
Wales take on Scotland in a friendly but Jack Collison has withdrawn from
the squad.
Gabbidon, who will join up with his country on Tuesday after working at
Chadwell Heath on Monday, has not figured for West Ham United since 19
September. He has had minor calf and hip injuries but has been working on
his fitness and will hope to feature at the weekend.
The 30-year-old made his long-awaited playing return in a friendly at the
new home of Cardiff City back on 6 July after a year and a half out with a
long-term abdominal problem. He last played for Wales in the 3-1 defeat by
Russia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on 9 September that ended their chances
of reaching next summer's finals.
With Wales beginning preparations for the UEFA EURO 2012 qualification
programme next year, Gabbidon will also hope to win his 43rd cap in order to
push his claims against those of Matthew Upson, Manuel Da Costa and James
Tomkins when it comes to selection for Saturday week's match at Hull City.
Collison, meanwhile, was substituted at half-time in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by
Aston Villa with a knock and was subsequently withdrawn from international
duty.
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Mixed feelings for Junior
WHUFC.com
Junior Stanislas was disappointed to suffer defeat by Everton on his return
to first-team action
09.11.2009
Junior Stanislas admitted that the gloss of making his first West Ham United
appearance since 17 October had been taken off by the nature of Sunday's 2-1
defeat by Everton.
The lively winger made a hugely positive impact following his half-time
introduction during the Barclays Premier League clash, forcing Tony Hibbert
to put through his own net and causing the Toffees right-back problems
throughout the second half.
The 19-year-old was pleased to return to first-team duty after maintaining a
watching brief from the substitutes bench in recent weeks. However, that
pleasure was tainted by the disappointment of Everton snatching an unlikely
victory at the Boleyn Ground. "We dominated most of the game, certainly all
of the second half," Stanislas said. "They had a couple of shots and scored
from them, so it's disappointing from that point of view. I think we did
well second half and deserved to win."
Like any professional footballer, Stanislas would rather be on the pitch
than sitting in the dugout, but he understood why manager Gianfranco Zola
has looked at other options in recent fixtures. "Obviously I'm young as well
so I can't really complain. I've just got to take my chances when they come.
I've scored one and probably should have scored two as well so I'm
disappointed there but it's obviously more good experience for me."
The England Under-21 player, who will report for duty this week ahead of
Saturday's UEFA European Championship qualifier with Portugal at Wembley,
added that he intended to stake a claim for Hibbert's own-goal.
Stanislas clipped Alessandro Diamanti's pass over the advancing Tim Howard
and towards the target, only for Hibbert to slice his attempted clearance
into the roof of the net.
In truth, the south London-born player may have some trouble convincing that
Barclays Premier League's Dubious Goals Committee, that the goal should be
added to his tally, but it will not stop the teenager from trying.
"I've got to claim it, haven't I? Perhaps he should have cleared it, but
thankfully it's gone in and given us a chance, but we didn't take that
chance."
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Eyjolfsson called again
WHUFC.com
Holmar Eyjolfsson has been called up to the Iceland Under-21 squad once more
09.11.2009
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson has been named in Iceland's Under-21 squad for the
UEFA European Championship Group 5 qualifier in San Marino on Friday 13
November.
Iceland have made a strong start to their campaign, winning three of their
first four matches - including home and away victories over Northern Ireland
- to sit second behind group leaders Spain and six points ahead of
third-placed Germany.
Eyjolfsson was on target with a header in the reverse fixture against San
Marino, an 8-0 success in Reykjavik on 9 October.
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Mehmet's hopes dashed
WHUFC.com
Deniz Mehmet's Turkey have been knocked out of the FIFA U17 World Cup on
penalties by Colombia
09.11.2009
Deniz Mehmet's bid for FIFA Under-17 World Cup glory came to an end in the
cruellest of fashions on Sunday evening. Mehmet's Turkey appeared on course
for a semi-final meeting with Switzerland after reaching the closing stages
a goal up on Colombia through Muhammet Demir's 20th-minute strike. However,
the South Americans hit back in the 90th minute through substitute Jorge
Luis Ramos before going on to progress 5-3 on penalties in the Nigerian city
of Bauchi. The result brought the competition to a disappointing yet proud
end for Mehmet and his team-mates, who had reached the quarter-finals
following impressive victories over Burkina Faso, Costa Rica and the United
Arab Emirates.
The London-based goalkeeper will now return to Little Heath, where he will
hope to use the experience gained while in Africa to boost West Ham United's
FA Premier Academy League campaign.
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Ashton set to retire?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th November 2009
By: Yet Another Staff Writer
Dean Ashton is set to announce his retirement from football after losing his
battle to a long-standing ankle injury, according to a report in today's
Daily Telegraph. Ashton, 26, who has not played for the Hammers since
September 2008, has endured a woeful injury record since joining from
Norwich City in January 2006 and adds yet another blow to West Ham's
struggling 2009-10 season so far.
After an explosive start to his Upton Park career under Alan Pardew's
management, Ashton finished his first half-season scoring in the FA Cup
Final defeat to Liverpool in May 2006. This good start saw Ashton called up
by then England manager, Steve McClaren, for Three Lions duty in August
2006. However, rather than the mark a fairytale beginning, this call-up
began an injury nightmare for Ashton as the number nine broke his ankle is
training after an apparently innocuous challenge by Shaun Wright-Phillips
which led to Ashton missing the rest of the 2006-2007 season. Although
Ashton returned in August 2007 and managed 11 goals in 35 appearances -
earning the striker a new 5-year, £50,000 per week contract, as well a
recall to the England squad by Fabio Capello in the process - Ashton broke
down again in last season's 3-2 defeat to West Brom at The Hawthorns and has
not kicked a ball since.
The Telegraph now reports West Ham are set mount an insurance claim against
the F.A for £7m, as well as speculating Ashton may also launch a direct
claim against Wright-Phillips for his part in his original ankle injury.
Dutch surgeon Niek Van Dyke ,who handled Ashton's rehabilitation, is
reported to have diagnosed the player as suffering from 'chronic
degeneration' to his ankle, meaning although the player can run, he can not
twist or take any impact to the joint and is in constant discomfort. Van
Dyke is deemed to have ruled Ashton's hopes of a comeback an impossibility.
The paper suggests should West Ham be successful in their claim against the
F.A that the funds would be available for Zola to strengthen the squad,
although due to this size of club's current debt, that is likely to
represent speculation at best. News of the apparently impending announcement
represents unwelcome news for manager Gianfranco Zola, whose side are
heavily reliant on Carlton Cole, whose absence from the side against Everton
was all-too-evident as chance after chance went beginning leading to a 2-1
defeat and the Hammers slipping back into the relegation zone.
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Parker confident of survival
West Ham midfielder upbeat despite defeat
Last updated: 9th November 2009
SSN
Midfielder Scott Parker believes West Ham have 'too much quality' to be
relegated this season despite slipping into the drop zone at the weekend.
The Hammers created plenty of chances against Everton but are back in the
bottom three after going down 2-1 at Upton Park. Parker has played down talk
of a relegation scrap though and is confident results will soon improve for
Gianfranco Zola's men. "It was not the best of results for us by any means
and we did not deserve it, but there are lots of positives we can take from
it," he said. "We had a good win in the week over Aston Villa, and we wanted
to build on that. "This happened to us last year when the manager came in
and we had a run of results which we did not really deserve. "We can get out
of it. We have got too much quality in this squad. It is too early to say it
is a relegation battle. "The league is very tight this year, with everybody
able to beat everybody. "We know it is going to be a tough season, but we
just have to pick up some points as quick as we can." "Every game will be
massive for us this season, that is just the way it is. "It is not happening
for us at the moment even though we're playing well."
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Zola up for the fight
Hammers boss backing his side to beat the drop
By Chris Burton Last updated: 9th November 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola is concerned by West Ham's current plight, but is backing
his side to pull clear of trouble. The Hammers slipped back into the Premier
League relegation zone on Sunday after going down 2-1 at home to Everton. A
midweek success over Aston Villa had helped to raise morale around Upton
Park, but all that hard work was undone against the Toffees. All is not
lost, with only five points separating West Ham from a comfortable mid-table
standing, but it is imperative that results improve quickly if a basement
battle is to be avoided. Zola accepts as much and insists he will be doing
all he can over the coming months to steer a route to safety. The Italian
said: "It feels bad. It's not very pleasant, but we are there [in the bottom
three]. The team is fighting. "Can we stay up? Yes. We can do that. All of
us, including myself, are going to have to look for solutions to these
problems. "I'm concerned, as is everybody around West Ham. But we're going
to fight until the end and we will find the solutions as quickly as
possible. "I'm confident and I trust the players. I believe they are the
best in the Premier League for me. We are determined to make things
different and that's what matters."
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West Ham striker Dean Ashton expected to retire from football
Dean Ashton is this week expected to announce his retirement from football
after losing a long battle to recover from a broken ankle suffered on
England duty more than three years ago.
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent
Published: 12:25PM GMT 09 Nov 2009
Daily Telegraph
The announcement is also likely lead to a multi-million pound compensation
claim being lodged by the striker's club, West Ham United, who have been
deprived of the services of a player who cost them £7.25 million when he
signed from Norwich City in January 2006. Ashton, who will be 26 later this
month, has desperately tried to regain fitness but has not played a senior
match for 14 months. It's understood that West Ham's insurance claim may be
as much as £7 million – the amount the player is believed to be covered for.
Premier League fixtures Ashton himself, who was marked out by Fabio Capello,
when the Italian was appointed England manager, as a first-choice for his
country, is also considering making a damages claim. Ashton is suffering
from chronic degeneration to his ankle. Although he can run, and is believed
to be in outstanding physical shape apart from his ankle, Ashton cannot
twist or turn or take any impact on the joint and is also in constant
discomfort. Indeed he has been warned that he may end up being unable to
walk properly if he continues to try and play football and may require
further surgery in any case. After the initial injury, which ruled him out
for 11 months, Ashton did play again and made a further 35 appearances for
West Ham, scoring 11 goals and earning himself a new five-year deal at the
club last summer which placed him among the highest earners. However he
broke down once more in September 2008, just four games into the season, and
has been unable to play since despite manager Gianfranco Zola hoping he
would eventually make a recovery. There was even interest from other clubs,
including Stoke City, in Ashton over the summer. Even over the weekend Zola
reiterated the view that he still hoped Ashton would recover but that now
appears impossible. Following consultations with several specialists,
including the Dutch surgeon Niek van Dyke, who originally operated on
Ashton, West Ham have reluctantly accepted that the striker's career is
over. Van Dyke is thought to be believe that Ashton's problems stem from
the injury suffered on England duty. However any insurance claim is
complicated given that Ashton did make a recovery to play again and even
managed to finally earn an England cap, playing against Trinidad & Tobago
last year. The FA beefed up its insurance cover after a dispute with
Newcastle United following Michael Owen's injury in the last World Cup but
the Ashton claim will have to be dealt with by the previous company. The
announcement is a severe blow to West Ham although the club will be hopeful
of, at least, recouping some money through its compensation claim which may
eventually be used to bolster Zola's attacking options.
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Ashton expected to retire
By Soccernet staff
ESPN
November 9, 2009
West Ham striker Dean Ashton is expected to officially announce his
retirement from professional football by the end of this week. Ashton has
not played a first-team game for 14 months and the Hammers have resigned
themselves to losing the 25-year-old, who has struggled to fully recover
from an ankle injury suffered at England training in August 2006.
It is believed West Ham are likely to seek compensation in the form of a £7
million insurance claim against the Football Association after medical
experts revealed the striker has little chance of competing at the highest
level again.
The player may also take action, though it is not certain whether it would
be against the FA or Shaun Wright-Phillips - whose tackle caused the initial
ankle injury.
Ashton was a product of the famous Crewe Alexandra youth system, which saw
manager Dario Gradi bring through the likes of Daviud Platt Danny Murphy,
Robbie Savage and Neil Lennon. After playing more then 200 games for the
Railwaymen, he became Norwich City's record signing when he joined the
Canaries for £3 million in 2005. A string of impressive performances and 17
goals in 44 league appearances earned him a move to West Ham in January 2006
for £7.25 million, where he became a first-team regular.
He has scored 19 goals for the Hammers in 43 games, but for the past
three-and-a-half years, the striker has found fitness hard to come by. The
ankle break at England training ruled him out for the whole 2006-07 campaign
and though he did return, scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances in the 2007-08
campaign, he broke down in new manager Gianfranco Zola's first training
session in September 2008.
England boss Fabio Capello rated Ashton highly and tipped him to make a big
impact on the international stage, handing him his Three Lions' debut in a
friendly against Trinidad and Tobago last summer.
Zola has persistently refused to write-off Ashton but it is understood that
the striker has had to admit defeat because of chronic degeneration in the
ankle. It is believed he cannot twist or turn or take any impact on the
joint and is also in constant discomfort. He has also been given a grave
warning that he may be unable to walk properly if he continues to try and
play football and may require further surgery in any case.
Just last Friday, Zola reiterated the view that he still hoped Ashton would
recover but after taking advice from specialists including Dutch surgeon
Niek van Dyke, who originally operated on Ashton, West Ham have reluctantly
accepted that the striker's career is over.
The FA beefed up its insurance cover after a dispute with Newcastle United
following Michael Owen's injury in the last World Cup but the Ashton claim
will have to be dealt with by the previous company.
The announcement is a big blow to West Ham, who have become heavily reliant
on Carlton Cole to provide their firepower, though the club will be hoping
to recoup some money through its compensation claim, which would likely be
used to bolster Zola's attacking options.
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Dean Ashton close to retirementRussell Kempson
The Times
Dean Ashton, the West Ham United striker, is expected to finally admit
defeat in his battle with ankle problems and announce that his career is
over. Ashton's troubles stem back to when he broke an ankle in training the
day before he was due to make his England debut in Steve McClaren's first
match in charge, against Greece in August 2006. Problems with scar tissue
delayed his return for more than a year. After the initial injury, he did
play again and made a further 35 appearances for West Ham, scoring 11 goals
and earning himself a new five-year deal at the club last year, believed to
be £60,000 a week. However, he broke down again in September 2008, just four
games into the season, and has been unable to play since. After lengthy
discussions with specialists, West Ham appear to have reluctantly accepted
that Ashton will have to retire. It is understood that the East London club
will launch an insurance claim of up to £7 million for the loss of the
striker. Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, has been deprived of
Ashton's services since his arrival at Upton Park. After the 2-1 defeat
against Everton on Sunday, the Italian still harboured hopes of Ashton
playing again. "Until someone tells me he isn't going to make it, I'm still
confident he is going to come back," Zola said. "For the boy and for us, we
hope he will make it. I can't say more than that. He's not involved, he's
working his way back on his own and with his own physio working on his
fitness. I don't know when I will hear anything."
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Dean Ashton considers early retirement following advice from ankle
specialists
West Ham examine possible compensation claim against FA
Striker suffered injury on England duty in August 2006
Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 November 2009 20.17 GMT
Dean Ashton's career as a professional footballer seems likely to be ended
prematurely, with the 25-year-old West Ham United striker having struggled
to recover from a debilitating ankle injury he first suffered on England
duty in August 2006 following a training ground tackle with Shaun
Wright-Phillips. West Ham are now examining whether they are able to launch
a compensation claim of around £7m against the Football Association for a
player who cost them £7.25m when he moved to Upton Park in January 2006 from
Norwich City. Ashton, who may also consider lodging his own action for
damages, is faced with being forced into retirement after consultation with
several specialists including the surgeon who performed the original
operation, Niek van Dijk. He is thought to believe that Ashton's career is
now in doubt due to the injury he suffered with England, though any claim
from club or player is complicated because he did make an initial recovery.
The advice Ashton received from Van Dijk was that he is unlikely ever to be
able to twist the ankle again properly and, indeed, risks rendering himself
permanently unable to walk should he continue. Ashton suffered the injury
during an England training session after receiving a first international
call-up under the former England coach, Steve McClaren, ahead of a friendly
meeting with Greece. It ruled him out of playing for 11 months. But on
returning Ashton made a further 35 appearances and scored 11 goals — form
which earned him a fresh five-year deal from West Ham last summer that
placed him among the club's highest earners. He also received an England
recall from McClaren's successor, Fabio Capello, who hoped the striker might
become Wayne Rooney's partner ahead of Emile Heskey, and finally made his
debut in June 2008 against Trinidad & Tobago before the ankle injury
recurred early last season. Although he underwent further surgery in
February this year and attempted rehabilitation with the former West Ham
physiotherapist John Green, who had worked with other long-term casualties
including as Kieron Dyer and Michael Owen, Ashton has not played since.
While West Ham and Ashton's agent, Darren Bossons, declined to comment it is
thought they will meet with the forward this week to discuss his next step,
with the club and player preparing to reluctantly accept that his career is
over. The news is a further blow to the West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola,
whose team lost against Everton on Sunday to leave them on 10 points and in
the relegation zone. The Italian is also without the England striker Carlton
Cole, who has a hamstring injury, leaving the club with no established
Premier League forwards available for selection. Against Everton Zola was
forced to select Zavon Hines — for what was the 20-year-old's 10th league
outing – to partner Guillermo Franco, who made only his fifth appearance.
"Carlton Cole is a big player for us but what can we do? It's something we
have to cope with," Zola said.
While Cole — who is out of England's friendly against Brazil in Doha on
Saturday — may make a return against Hull City on 21 October, Zola is also
without Luis Boa Morte until the new year due to a knee injury. West Ham's
only other injury-free forward is 26-year-old Alessandro Diamanti, who came
on as a substitute on Sunday. It is unclear when Freddie Sears can be
recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace, should Zola decide he requires the
19-year-old.
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Dean Ashton set to announce retirement Russell Kempson
The Times
Dean Ashton, the West Ham United and England striker, has finally admitted
defeat in his battle with a persistent ankle problem. It is expected that
his retirement from playing will be announced by his club this week.
What had begun as one of the most momentous moments of Ashton's career, when
he was called up by England for the first time, in August 2006, has cruelly
proved to be the beginning of the end of his career. Ashton, who will be 26
this month, broke his left ankle in his first training session, in
Manchester, with the first England squad of Steve McClaren, then the new
head coach, in preparation for a friendly match against Greece.
He was injured in a collision with Shaun Wright-Phillips, the Manchester
City winger who was playing for Chelsea at the time. Ashton could consider
making an insurance claim against the FA and/or Wright-Phillips.
West Ham will be making an insurance claim, believed to be about £7 million,
for the loss of Ashton. However, any claim by the club against the FA could
become complex, with Ashton having appeared to recover from the initial
injury.
Although he missed a full season, he came back to make 35 appearances,
scoring 11 goals, in the 2007-08 campaign. It earned him a new five-year
contract at Upton Park, with wages believed to be in the region of £60,000 a
week. He also won an England cap under Fabio Capello, playing against
Trinidad & Tobago in June last year.
Ashton had earned high praise from Capello when the Italian succeeded
McClaren and became England manager. Had the player's injured ankle stood up
to the rigours of the Barclays Premier League, he could have been
contemplating a place in Capello's squad for the World Cup finals in South
Africa next year.
However, he broke down in September last year and has not played since.
"There is no definitive decision yet," an Upton Park source said last night.
"But it's not looking good."
Ashton last had surgery in February, when Niek van Dijk, the Dutch surgeon
who has treated Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Ballack and Robin van Persie,
travelled to London to operate. At one stage this year, the signs were
encouraging. Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, and Ashton were happy
with the slow yet steady progress. Soon, though, it became obvious that
although Ashton could run, twisting or turning was impossible.
The former Crewe Alexandra and Norwich City striker is suffering from
chronic degeneration of the ankle and has been advised that should he try to
continue playing, he may face the prospect of not being able to walk
properly in the future. Further surgery has not been ruled out, either.
After West Ham's 2-1 defeat by Everton on Sunday, Zola said: "Until someone
tells me that Dean isn't going to make it, I'm still confident he is going
to come back. For the boy and for us, we hope he will make it."
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West Ham will soon escape the relegation zone, says Scott Parker
Parker says West Ham have 'too much quality' to go down
Midfielder feels international break has come at a bad time
Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 10 November 2009 00.10 GMT
Scott Parker says West Ham United will soon escape the relegation zone
despite their home defeat by Everton on Sunday. "We'll get out of it. We've
got too much quality," the midfielder said. "This happened to us last year.
We had a run of bad results when we didn't really deserve it. We need to
pick up results as quick as we can, concentrate on playing well and I'm sure
it will turn around."
Unfortunately for Parker and his team-mates the international break means
they have nearly a fortnight until they resume in the Premier League with a
game against fellow strugglers Hull City, whose victory over Stoke City on
Sunday, thanks to a last-minute goal by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, took
them a point and a place clear of West Ham.
"I don't think it's a good time to have a break," Parker said. "We're
playing some good stuff and in the position we're in we want to kick on. We
obviously need to get on the training field and work on what we need to do
and get a result at Hull. It's a massive game for us but I think every game
this year is going to be massive. It's not happening for us at times – we're
playing well but not picking up results. We're going to have to bounce back
at Hull now."
For a club whose finances are precarious, the idea of playing in the
Championship next season is particularly uncomfortable. But Parker added:
"It's too early to say it's a relegation battle. The league is tight this
year. Everyone seems to be able to beat everyone."
For Everton, meanwhile, their 2-1 victory after seven games without a win
was sweet. "It's just nice to get three points," said Sylvain Distin, who
was excellent in the visitors' defence. "Even if you pretend you're not
affected, you do think about it. That doesn't mean your confidence is low."
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Premier League queue for coveted Moroccan lengthens as big guns enter the
fray
Sport.co.uk
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:10 November 2009 - 08:47
Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly joined a whole host of Premier
League clubs in the race for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. The Moroccan
nearly joined Arsenal in the summer amid reputed interest from West Ham,
Blackburn, Sunderland and Everton, and the Daily Mail reports Sir Alex
Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti are also looking at the player who continues to
impress in Ligue 1. The 25-year-old's contract is up in the summer and he
has made it clear he wishes to leave French football, with Arsenal looking
the most likely to snare his services. Arsene Wenger embarked on a long and
at times unsavoury pursuit of the prolific forward, but both clubs failed
to agree on the player's valuation. The Mail claims a number of English
clubs will register their interest in the striker in January, although
Chamakh may decide to leave France on a free transfer at the end of the
season.
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Davenport in court charged with assault
ViewLondon.co.uk
West Ham United footballer Calum Davenport is due to appear in court today
charged with assaulting a woman in an incident that later saw him stabbed in
both legs. The 26-year-old is due to appear at Bedford magistrates' court to
hear the charge of ABH (actual bodily harm) against the woman who is
believed to be his sister. Mr Davenport was stabbed in both legs during the
incident in the driveway of his mother's home in Kempston in August. The
episode resulted in the West Ham player spending six days in intensive care.
He has, however, denied any wrongdoing. His sister's boyfriend, Worrell
Whitehurst, 25, has already appeared in court charged with attacking the
centre-back and his mother Kim Stupple, 49, in the driveway of her Bedford
home. Mr Whitehurst, of Finsley Walk, in Derby, has been charged with
section 18 grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm driving while
disqualified and possession of a bladed article. Davenport, a former England
under-21 defender, signed for the Hammers in 2007 from Tottenham Hotspur but
has since found first-team opportunities hard to come by. Last season he
spent time on loan at Sunderland, having previously had loan spells at
Watford, Southampton and Norwich after starting his career at Coventry.
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