Stech on trial

Young goalkeeper Marek Stech has joined Burnley on trial.

The 21-year-old Czech goalkeeper was hailed by former goalkeeping coach Ludo Miklosko as his country's potential successor to Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech upon joining West Ham back in 2006 at the age of just 16.

However five years on, West Ham are preparing to part company with the 6'3 stopper who has refused to sign a new contract due to his desire for first team football.

Stech - who is currently fourth in the pecking order at the Boleyn behind Rob Green, Peter Kurucz and Ruud Boffin - has been unable to play for the club in rcent months as any future appearances will trigger an additional payment to the player's former club Sparta Prague.

With West Ham being unwilling to pay a further instalment due to the player's refusal to agree a new contract, Stech has been left in limbo; his most recent appearance for the club came way back in October of last year, in the 3-1 Carling Cup win over Stoke.

Having already spent a week with Ipswich, Stech is now trying his luck at Burnley who recently signed his former Academy team mates Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines. He will feature for the Clarets in their Central League fixture against Oldham later this afternoon.