Allardyce responds in Diarra row

Sam Allardyce has offered Alou Diarra the opportunity to air his grievances privately after the French international accused the Hammers boss of ignoring him.

In an interview with L'Equipe yesterday, the 31-year-old midfielder revealed that he wanted to find a new club as soon as possible due to his failure to secure a spot in the first team.

"I want to leave; I've tried to stay positive but I want a real challenge and I won't get it at West Ham," said Diarra. "With the current coach in charge, it's impossible. No-one's told me directly, but I'm not part of his plans so I have to leave.

"Certain people have said that I haven't been able to establish myself but they don't know the reality of my situation. To establish myself, I have to have the chance to do so.

"In every club I've been at I've always had a chat with the coach to find out what he expected of me, how the team plays, my position etc. Since I arrived, I've never spoken to the manager. It's just 'hello' and 'goodbye'. There's no dialogue, no explanation."

Responding to the player's comments, Allardyce refuted suggestions that Diarra was not in his immediate plans whilst pointing to his injury record as a more valid explanation for his continued absence.

"Wasted four months of what? My time or his?," Big Sam told ESPN. "He has been injured for three months. He has let his frustrations out in his home country, which often happens.

"Someone has got hold of him and asked to do an article. He has done the article and has aired some of the frustrations of not playing on a regular basis. When he knocks on the door and comes to see me, we'll sort him out as quickly as we can. I haven't got a problem with it."