Matthew: I'll Stay If I'm Wanted

Matthew Kilgallon admits he doesn't know if he will prolong his stay at Upton Park - but says he would welcome the opportunity.

With Alan Pardew set to take over later in the month, coupled with the problems Leeds are having themselves, his future is, at this stage, unclear - but Matthew is phlegmatic about the situation.

"I don't know if I will be extending my stay with the way Leeds' results have been going lately, but I would like to, as I have enjoyed myself a lot while I have been here.

"I am not even sure what day I am supposed to be going back to Leeds but if Alan Pardew is there and I am still there I will try my best to perform in training - and if I get my chance I will take it."

Indeed it will be up to Alan to decide, along with Peter Reid, what happens next as Matthew's loan spell is a three month one which takes him up to the 23rd of November.

"Who knows what will happen, but people have been keeping in touch with me from Leeds asking how I am and that," he says.

"I just can't believe what has been going on there but they have a lot of loan players who maybe felt the Premiership was easier than it really is - it has turned out so hard for them when they haven't been ready for it.

"But they got the win at the weekend and maybe it will settle down - but it will have to happen fast because of the league position."

Matthew didn't play at Derby but got a run out in the win over Crystal Palace and recalls:

"I loved every minute of it; Quinny got a little bit of a tight calf, I think, and I was told to warm up - I enjoyed being out there.

"I haven't played at centre half yet, which is my position, but as long as I get a game I am not bothered."

He is living with Neil Mellor, another loanee from the north, and says:

"Mellors and I share an apartment and it is a good laugh; I look after the cooking - or do we take it in turns?!"

And Neil earned the celebratory meal Matthew cooked him when he opened his account for the Hammers last week with that brace against Palace.

"I was really happy for him; he normally scores every game he plays but he had a little dry spell," he says.

"Even in training when he scores everyone is up to him for a laugh; we all get on with each other and there are certainly no problems between him and David Connolly."

David James has of course been named in the England squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier with Turkey this weekend - an announcement delayed because of confusion over Rio Ferdinand's eligibility.

Meanwhile, Norwich have sold out their allocation of 2,666 tickets for the upcoming visit to Upton Park - Trevor Brooking's penultimate game in charge.