Get Better, Bow

Trevor Brooking says it is premature to talk about Lee Bowyer leaving the club - and that the player's first priority is to sort his ankle problem out.

Lee has, unfortunately, not been able to play since the Bolton game after receiving a challenge in training from Eduoard Cisse on an already troublesome ankle.

"He has had the ankle problem for a while; he did lose it for a bit but then got another knock on it to go almost where he was before," confirms Trevor.

"He is seeing somebody and might have to have something done in the next week or so to see if he can clear it up in the summer for when he makes his own decisions for next season.

"It is an issue he will need to sort out and he will probably need a bit of work done on that shortly and hopefully it will clear up for whatever happens next season."

One newspaper claims that he is set for a move to Tottenham in the summer - but is there a definite move away on the cards for Lee?

"There is not; we are still talking to Lee as someone involved with us and he is going to see a specialist to see what has to be done on the ankle," says Trevor.

"Whatever happens, once the diagnosis is made, it will be cleared up for the summer and we can worry about the rest later."

As for the training in Trevor's final week as caretaker manager, he says:

"The lads have been fine; it was a terrific last home game and I have seen a lot of fans on my travels who were pleased with the performance, spirit we showed, and atmosphere of the last home game.

"All we have got to do is try and give them a similar effort at Birmingham - which we will need to match them, to be honest.

"We will have to be strong; there will times when they will get at us, and we will have to dig in like we have been doing, and finish with 12 points from the last four games.

"Whether that will be enough we will have to wait and see but at least the players would be able to feel better about the last four results if we get the fourth one.

"They are good experienced players and what they have got now is a bit more confidence and belief - and in any sport that is what you need.

"If you lose it you get in a rut and you don't seem to be able to turn it round; we started doing that with the only loss being the Bolton game - which obviously was crucial because of who it was against - but apart from that it has been an excellent run with just one loss in 10 games.

"In the last three games the spirit has been fantastic and all three 1-0 wins have been achieved in the last 20 minutes.

"That says a lot about the players, that they have not let their heads drop or got frustrated if chances didn't go in, and they got their reward in the end - and we have to do it again in the last 90-odd minutes on Sunday."

Meanwhile, Hammers fan Chris Ward, who is cycling to Birmingham to raise money for the Bobby Moore fund, has managed to acquire a ticket for the game at the weekend, thus providing him, hopefully, with some reward after his endeavours.

If you would like to sponsor Chris for this extremely worthwhile charity founded in the name of the greatest English footballer, please call the Bobby Moore Hotline on 020 7009 8881 between 9-5pm Monday to Friday.

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Please bear in mind that you need to be earning so the charity can claim on your sponsorship, and that you have to include your full home address.

This supports the charity's tax claim and will not be used to contact you.

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