Escape route for Hammers striker

  • by Graeme Howlett
  • Friday, 2nd January 2004

West Ham's on-loan striker Neil Mellor has been told by Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier that he is welcome to return to the North West, following his nightmare spell in East London.

Mellor - who has scored just twice in sixteen first team appearances since joining the Hammers on loan back in August - could return to Liverpool after finding his chances at Upton Park limited.

Since new Hammers boss Alan Pardew arrived at Upton Park he has signed Brian Deane and Marlon Harewood, thereby pushing the 21-year-old Sheffield-born striker further down the pecking order.

"If there is a choice between Neil playing for the reserves at West Ham and him playing for us here, then I'd much prefer he came back," said Houllier last night.

"He wants to get himself fit first, but whenever he wants he can come back to us.

"I spoke to him before Christmas and Rick Parry has spoken with his father. He knows he can come back, but he says he wants to get fit first, give himself a chance and then prove himself to them."

Mellor's stay in East London has also been blighted by injury, from which he has only recently recovered. However he had made just one substitute appearance - 5 minutes against Ipswich on Boxing Day - since recovering full fitness last month.

Neil Mellor - season 2003/04 stats

Appearances: 9
From the bench: 7
Goals:2

Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0

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