Source: Team_Talk
Hammers bang in a bid for bad Benni
The Hammers had been linked with the South Africa international after manager Sam Allardyce said earlier this month he could leave.[LNB]However, the player has not impressed the Rovers boss by failing to turn up for his last two training sessions.[LNB]"We are very disappointed with Benni's non-appearance for training and will deal with it separately should he remain here after the transfer window has closed," said the Rovers boss.[LNB]"We have said all along that we will listen to offers, but only agree to sell if both the commercial and football reasons satisfy Blackburn Rovers. That situation remains unchanged."[LNB]Although Allardyce will have no qualms about off-loading McCarthy, he will not do so unless he can find an adequate replacement.[LNB]However, the player's refusal to attend training means his chances of having a future at Ewood Park are slim.[LNB]West Ham are in the market for a big-name striker having gone public with their interest in former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.[LNB]New co-owner David Sullivan said the debt-ridden club were prepared to pay the Real Madrid forward £100,000-a-week but the Dutchman snubbed them for German side Hamburg.[LNB]West Ham's joint chairman David Gold defended the club's big-money offer for van Nistelrooy despite their perilous financial state, insisting the player's ability and the length of contract on offer meant it was not a great risk.[LNB]"Let me just state on the record that there is a big difference when you are paying a player £100,000 for four months to paying someone £50,000 for a four-year contract," he told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"I wouldn't want people to say we were mad to be paying £100,000, if we were paying that on a four or five-year contract maybe we would be mad but for a super player like that I felt, and David Sullivan felt, it was good business.[LNB]"We've really gone the extra mile and what we must be pleased about, what I'm pleased about as a West Ham fan, is that we have stopped the sale of two, maybe three top players.[LNB]"That is the main prize and the bonus is if we can now bring in one or two players."[LNB]Gold went on to declare his confidence that manager Gianfranco Zola would lead the side to Premier League safety.[LNB]"We've got a football club that hasn't had leaders. It has been in many ways a rudderless ship," he added.[LNB]"David (Gold) and Karren (Brady) are two of the best people to help that. I know I'm tempting fate but I believe we can pull out of the relegation zone and that we can take (the club) to the next step, which is securing the future of the football club."[LNB][LNB] Portsmouth v West Ham To Win Both Halves: West Ham 10/1
