Gabbidon back in action

Danny Gabbidon made a welcome return to action and Kieron Dyer continued his comeback as a West Ham United XI lost out 2-0 to Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes in a specially-arranged friendly.

San Jose, whose new season begins on 27 March, have been training at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground since last Friday and looked sharp on a chilly afternoon at the Boleyn Ground. Gabbidon and Dyer both played for just over an hour while there were also run-outs for Manuel da Costa, Fabio Daprela, Ilan and Mido.

The second half saw several changes for the Hammers, with Terry Dixon getting the final 25 minutes of the game after appearing for Republic of Ireland Under-21s last week. San Jose, in contrast, made just one substitution as manager Frank Yallop focused on his first-choice XI for the new MLS season. Among the visitors lineup was Bobby Convey, the former Reading left-winger.

West Ham United: Kurucz, 'Gala, Da Costa (Moncur 68), Gabbidon (Sanchez 67), Daprela (Zola 68), Dyer (Dixon 65), Spence, Payne, Edgar, Ilan (Lee 46), Mido (Brookes 74)
Sub unused: Stech