THE ESSENTIAL

West Ham have confirmed that out-of-favour defender Calum Davenport has left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan wants Matthew Upson to return a favour by putting pen to paper on a new contract at Upton Park.

Gianfranco Zola has dismissed suggestions that West Ham were spurred on by David Sullivan's comments earlier in the week in their 2-0 win over Birmingham. The Hammers' co-owner said the team need to consider taking a pay-cut, but Zola insisted: "The comments don't really matter. What was important was to win the game and that was crucial to everyone here."

New West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has suggested Kieron Dyer should consider retirement. The 31-year-old has struggled with injury during his time at Upton Park and has played just 18 games for the Hammers. Without explicity naming Dyer, Sullivan said: "There is one player who hardly plays at all who might have to accept retirement. We have to cut some overheads, staff who are on the administration side and support staff for the team and work down the contracts we have inherited which are terrible."

West Ham owner David Sullivan has hit out at big-spending clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea. "They're bad for football. Maybe the ultimate solution is a wage cap," Sullivan told the BBC. "I've always been against it but I'm starting to swing towards it. It's the only way to keep clubs solvent."

David Sullivan is open to the idea of letting players leave West Ham this month but would prefer them to stay and get the club out of trouble.

Former Birmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have reportedly made a £50million bid for Premier League strugglers West Ham.

West Ham maintain there has not yet been any new formal takeover bid for the Premier League club, who are on the market for over £100million.

Former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has won his case for wrongful dismissal against the Hammers after claiming he had no option but to resign.

Gianfranco Zola was impressed by the spirit shown by his struggling Hammers team: "No matter what, the spirit has to be there all the time. That is something we can not do without. Last week at Stoke I saw something, a change and it is very important and against Arsenal I have seen something more."

TRANSFERS

Who? - Mido
Where is he? - Middlesbrough
Who is he linked with? - West Ham United
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Who? - Benni McCarthy
Where is he? - Blackburn Rovers
Who is he linked with? - West Ham United
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