Duo's D-day

Trinidad and Tobago pair Nigel Pierre and Brent Rahim hope to prove on Thursday that they are worthy of further interest from Glenn Roeder.

Brent, a 23 year old midfielder, and Nigel, a 22 year old striker, are both mystified by reports of a friendly against their own country that day - but if local opposition can't be found for the Hammers, a training ground match behind closed doors will take place to test the two out.

Brent is currently at Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, and says:

"It is not the best league in the world but I wanted to go to Europe to continue my footballing education and get experience I couldn't get in the Caribbean.

"But now I want to see if I can make it here, and my trial is until the end of the week.

"It was a big sacrifice to go to Bulgaria, but, although I had offers from America, I wanted to get a feel for Europe.

"It is difficult not speaking the language, and the food is different, but it has toughened me up, and now I have one game to prove myself in."

Brent hopes to shortly reach the figure of 75% of games for his country that should make getting a work permit a formality, but has had to miss out on Champions' League action with Levski because he signed after the deadline.

He describes himself as "liking a tackle" and adds:

"I can play anywhere in midfield and I have had played in different positions all my career; I have not established my most natural position yet but I like going forward as well as getting back."

Meanwhile Nigel, who played for the reserves last week at Coventry, hopes to make a move from his Joe Public in his native country, and says:

"I have been to West Ham before, last season, but got a heel injury.

"I played at Bristol Rovers for two months last year, then my work permit was revoked - but I have enough caps now.

"If nothing works out here, I may have to drop down and perhaps go back to Bristol, but we'll wait and see.

"Shaka Hislop has encouraged us and told us what a good club it is, and that if we keep working hard hopefully we will get there."

He admits last week was not an ideal match to show his skills, saying:

"It was okay but as a team we didn't play too well and it was difficult to impress."

Both players do not think their likely transfer fees would prove a stumbling block if Glenn does want to take his interest in the pair further, and Nigel says:

"I don't know what Joe Public want - but I don't think it would be too much."

And Brent adds:

"I don't think it would be a lot - certainly affordable for a club like West Ham."