Specs plays again

Jonathan Spector was the last West Ham United player to return to the fold on Thursday after international duty having won his 23rd cap for the United States.

The 23-year-old defender played 70 minutes for the FIFA World Cup finalists in Aarhus on Wednesday as they lost 3-1 to fellow South Africa contenders Denmark. Spector reprised his centre-back partnership with captain Carlos Bocanegra in the continued absence of AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu.

The pair first played together in last Saturday's 1-0 loss in Slovakia. The US were without several regulars but took the lead against the Danes before being pegged back in the second half. Spector had drawn praise from US coach Bob Bradley for his performance in the middle, despite being more regularly used in a full-back position.

Up front for the US was striker Jozy Altidore, who Spector could be facing in the match against Hull City this weekend.