West Ham United

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Bellamy sees Hammers through

Craig Bellamy's first two goals for West Ham were enough to give Alan Curbishley's side a 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Bristol Rovers.

Bellamy struck twice in the first half, including a stunning 30-yard shot to open his account, as the Premiership club capitalised on their first half dominance.

Rovers fought back after the break and hit back through Andy Williams, but they were unable to force an equaliser.

However, the match was marred by a serious injury to West Ham and England midfielder Kieron Dyer.

Dyer is believed to have broken both the tibia and fibula in his right leg after being caught by Rovers midfielder Joe Jacobson after catching his studs in the turf.

Ashton out

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley had earmarked this game for a first start since the 2006 FA Cup final for Dean Ashton, who is still striving for full fitness after suffering a broken ankle on England duty a year ago. But the striker's partner Gemma, who is expecting their first child, went into labour and his manager was forced into a rethink.

That meant the Hammers stuck with the previously unproductive partnership of Bellamy and Bobby Zamora, who both had spells at Rovers as teenagers, and the latter sent an early header over from a good position. However, Bellamy made sure there was to be no repeat of last season's Carling Cup exit at a League One ground, when Chesterfield had beaten a West Ham side then still picked by Alan Pardew.

His two strikes before the break were his first since his £7.5million summer switch from Liverpool. The first was made possible by Hayden Mullins, who won the ball in midfield, but the Welshman was still some 30 yards away from the Rovers goal when he decided to let fly and his low drive eluded Steve Phillips' dive to his right to nestle in the corner.

A trademark turn of speed conjured up the second in stoppage time after Lucas Neill had powered a long ball over an otherwise resilient Rovers back-line. Goalkeeper Phillips had dithered coming off his line and regretted it as soon as Bellamy slotted past him with ease.

Home fight

The home side's 14-match unbeaten run, that had seen them promoted via last season's play-offs and Crystal Palace removed from the first round of this competition, was coming to an end but they refused to go down without a fight.

Rickie Lambert was denied by Wright's alertness 10 minutes into the second period, with the former Everton reserve showing great agility in the 53rd minute to keep out the striker's header after Jacobson had again caused problems on the left.

Lambert and Walker combined again to put the visitors under pressure and twice Ferdinand had to mop up in the box before Curbishley made a change by taking George McCartney off in favour of James Collins just after the hour mark.

Rovers made a trio of substitutions in the next 10 minutes and it was Lambert's replacement, Andrew Williams, who ensured there would be a rousing end to this tie with a fine solo goal in the 72nd minute. The substitute slipped past Anton Ferdinand with a neat turn in the box and crashed the ball past Wright.

Collins thought he had wrapped it up for the Hammers when his header bounced down off the crossbar via a superb Phillips save, but the ball clearly did not cross the line. Rovers piled men forward, including goalkeeper Phillips, as the minutes ticked away but the Hammers' re-jigged back-line held out.

Skysports

[kennethlindheim]

So Faubert's (or whatever he is called) replacement due to his long term injury is now out with a long term injury?

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West Ham struggling to convince Inter Milan's Adriano

West Ham United admit they face an uphill battle to land Inter Milan striker Adriano.

The Guardian says Hammers deputy chief executive, Scott Duxbury, was in Milan on Tuesday to speak to Inter officials in the hope of smoothing a 12-month loan for the 25-year-old forward. Yet, despite agreement in principle between the clubs, Adriano has refused to countenance a loan move abroad and remains in dispute with Inter over his future.

Inter would rather loan the player, but the Brazilian is more keen to make a permanent move if he does not feature in the San Siro club's plans, with Lazio his preferred destination.

Skysports

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West Ham United are expressed interest in Roma winger Amantino Mancini. Aware that Mancini's agent, Gilmar Veloz, is in Europe for contract talks with Roma this week, West Ham have made contact about bringing the Brazilian to London. The Hammers have turned to Mancini after seeing Kieron Dyer suffer a double leg fracture in Carling Cup action this week.

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West Ham United fullback John Pantsil is set to get a move away. The Ghana international is in talks with Panathinaikos about a loan move to Greece.

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Reading have rejected a bid from West Ham for left-back Nicky Shorey. The Hammers are keen to sign the England international after letting Paul Konchesky join Fulham and have offered £4million to Reading.

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West Ham have landed Newcastle's Nolberto Solano on a free transfer and Wigan's Henri Camara on loan.

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West Ham have received an injury boost following the news that Scott Parker successfully played 80 minutes of a friendly against Colchester. The midfielder has been out of action since damaging a medial knee ligament during pre-season, but he now appears close to match fitness.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Dean Ashton has admitted it could be up to a year before he is fully recovered from his ankle injury. Ashton broke his ankle in training for England in August 2006 and was forced to miss the whole of last season. He has built up his fitness over the last few weeks and scored his first Premier League goal for 18 months in the 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

West Ham United are ready to spend big to land Derby County midfielder Giles Barnes. The People says Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson is prepared to go as high as £7.5 million for Barnes, whose Dad, Bobby, is a former Upton Park hero.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Craig Bellamy is set to make his comeback in two weeks after undergoing surgery in Germany. Bellamy had the same operation as Michael Owen at the clinic of specialist Dr Ulrike Muschaweck on Thursday. Muschaweck has reported the surgery a success and expects the Welshman back in action within a fortnight.

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John Pantsil wants to quit the club. The Ghana international has seen little action at Upton Park since joining from Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006. He has not played since January and he has told his agent he is ready to leave.

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Dean Ashton has admitted his disappointment at his England 'injury nightmare'. The West Ham striker sustained suspected medial knee ligament damage in The Hammers' 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and is a doubt for England's forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers. Ashton underwent scans to diagnose the extent of the injury on Sunday and will find out the results on today.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Dean Ashton has been ruled out of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers with Estonia and Russia. Ashton has been forced to withdraw from the squad after picking up an injury in West Ham's defeat at Aston Villa at the weekend. The former Crewe hit-man sustained a medial knee ligament injury and he faces a few weeks on the sidelines.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Solano unfazed by Hammers role

Nolberto Solano insists he is not worried about his situation at West Ham.

The Peruvian midfielder arrived from Newcastle on transfer deadline day - but he is yet to be involved in a match for The Hammers.

But the 32-year-old is refusing to panic about his lack of involvement.

Not worried

"I am not worried about that I haven't played any game yet at West Ham. I have a lot of experience in football," said Solano as he arrived in Peru ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Paraguay.

"It's true, I am not playing but I am calm about that.