Faubert Out For Six Months

West Ham's new right winger Julien Faubert has been ruled out of action for six months with a ruptured achilles tendon. Faubert picked up the injury in Tuesday night's pre-season match against Sigma Olomouc and has flown to Strasbourg to undergo surgery.

Alan Curbishley said, "It's a devastating blow for everyone, especially Julien. He'd fitted in so well and was showing all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League.

"You could see in the short bit of football he has played with us that he was going to be a big hit with the supporters — he is strong, fast, gets up and down and understands the game — so to lose him after an hour of football and just two weeks at the club is a big disappointment.

"We wish Julien a speedy recovery and, having got to know the boy over the past week or so, I am certain that he will respond to this set-back in the right way.

"Hopefully we will see him back in action around Christmas time, but the main thing is that he follows his rehabilitation programme and only returns when he is 100 per cent ready."

The Daily Mail claim West Ham are now preparing a panic £5 million bid for the injury prone Kieran Dyer.