West Ham's SWP Bid Rejected

KUMB are reporting that West Ham's bid to loan Shaun Wright-Philips has been rejected. The stumbling block seems to have been SWP's wages, which are in the region of £60,000 a week. The site claims that West Ham were told that they would have to pay all of the player's wages.

Pre-Season Training Starts

Technical director Niall Clark has confirmed himself happy with the fitness levels of the West Ham players following their return to training. The Hammers players reported back for pre-season in full on Monday morning.

"They had a long 10-month season last year, and it is vital to get complete rest, both mentally and physically. With a European campaign to look forward to this coming season, they are going to be tested to the limit again, and that is why we demand that they have a period of total rest in the summer.

It's all about getting the balance right and, after the testing, it looks as though they all have. I'm happier than I thought I would be, we are at a better starting point than we were last year, and we also have an extra week in pre-season this year, so I haven't got to try to pack it all in, which should give us a good base for the season ahead."