Defensive shortage reaches crisis point

  • by Graeme Howlett
  • Wednesday, 13th October 2004

West Ham have been rocked by the news that Calum Davenport could miss Saturday's crunch clash with QPR after returning from England under-21 duty with a groin strain.

The Hammers - already missing Christian Dailly, Malky Mackay, Andy Melville and Anton Ferdinand through injury - saw Davenport added to the crocked list after suffering an injury against Azerbaijan on Tuesday night.

And it has been suggested that Alan Pardew could look to the loan system in order to fill the void left by the loss of so many central defenders.

Assistant manager Peter Grant, talking to whufc.com explained:

"It is disappointing but we have to get on with it; it is fortunate enough to get a player picked at that level but injury is the downside of it, for sure.

"Strains are difficult ones because you can feel great one moment but there is a tenderness there when you are running.

"So you could feel better in two days or two weeks; some people recover from them quickly and some don't.

"With Calum it is the first problem he has had with us so it is a case of looking at his background, and we will give him to the last moment because we want everyone available," added Grant.

"You want to give people as much time as possible - it is no use ruling him out now and then saying, come Saturday, he feels fantastic.

"So he will get treatment, we will assess it when he gets back, and if he doesn't make it, it will open the door for someone else."

There has been much speculation today that Glen Johnson could be seeking a temporary return to Upton Park, following a story in today's Daily Mirror that suggested he could be leaving Chelsea on loan - with a Championship ground his preferred destination.

West Ham have yet to respond to the rumours, but Peter Grant confirmed today that he and Alan Pardew were exploring every avenue.

"You are always looking, as we would be if everyone was fit, because you are seeking to better the squad at all times," he revealed.

"Right now, suspensions and injuries are kicking in and there are a lot of games coming up.

"We have been out keeping abreast of everything but hopefully it won't get to the stage where we have to rush anything.

"We got four boys in after the Coventry game and we looked a decent squad with challenges on each position - but now we have all these injuries in the same area."

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