Ferrante's Hope

Michael Ferrante hopes that playing for Bristol Rovers reserves on Wednesday night will kick start his career.

He will face Southend in a one match trial, hoping to get a loan move as a result, and he explains: "At the moment things aren't going too well at West Ham, so I am looking to try a lower dvision squad for a loan spell and hopefully I can impress with Bristol Rovers tonight.

"I wouldn't want to come here for a month and not play football - I'm 20 now and the bottom line is playing football.

"I spoke to Garry Thompson and he sounded quite relaxed about it. He just said play Wednesday and we'll see from there.

"There is no point taking someone on loan if they are not going to play, so we will see in this game if they want me and if they do at least I know I'll be playing football.

"I would rather be training with West Ham United than Bristol Rovers if I'm not playing."

Michael, whose contract runs out in the summer, has had discussions with Glenn Roeder about his future, and he says: "I've had a few chats with Glenn since Christmas and the main priority is getting first team football somewhere.

"I just want to see if I can do the business in the third division first before I make any immediate plans for my future.

"There are a lot of young players doing well and I am not in favour at the moment, so maybe a loan spell will do me good.

"My main priority is getting out on loan, both me and Glenn agree on that, but there are no hard feelings anywhere.

"Everyone is fighting for a spot and at the moment I am not in the team. It is no one's fault, you can only do your best at training and whatever happens, happens.

"At the moment I'm not playing so this is another way of getting a game - and you never know what is next."

He is hoping a move, even if it is temporary, will give him a new lease of life - as it has for fellow Aussie Steve Laurie, who recently joined Peterborough after being released by the Hammers.

"Steve has done well for himself; he got a good deal at Peterborough so hopefully he can push on," says Michael.