Ward Joins Plymouth On Loan

DEFENDER Elliott Ward has joined Plymouth Argyle on a month's loan.

The 20-year-old Academy graduate goes straight into Tony Pulis' squad for their match against Sheffield Wednesday.

Elliott, who graduated from the West Ham United Academy, made his first-team debut for the Hammers in a Carling Cup tie against Southend in August 2004.

His League debut came at Reading in March 2005, when he was used as an emergency striker. But for the very next game Ward was lining-up at centre-back alongside fellow Academy star Anton Ferdinand.

Together they formed the defensive partnership that helped guide West Ham United back to the Premiership, via the Play-offs in May.

Since that glorious day at the Millennium Stadium, the likeable defender has found it hard to break into Alan Pardew's first-team plans. His only Premiership appearance to date came as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Bolton at Upton Park, although he has made two starts in the Carling Cup this season.