Post by QPR Report on Oct 25, 2009 15:27:30 GMT
Sure all fans whoever they support will be happy if this turns out well. Good luck to him
News of The World - MIRACLE MAN DAVENPORT TO PLAY AGAIN
Calum given all-clear to return
By Neil Ashton & Rob Shepherd, 24/10/2009
CALUM Davenport has been told he told he will play again - despite having a 15-inch scar on his leg.
Davenport was attacked in August and surgeons feared the wounds to his leg were so severe he may never properly recover.
But the Hammers defender met with boss Gianfranco Zola this week to talk about his future after specialists confirmed there are no reasons why he should not resume his career.
The major hurdle he has to overcome is the extensive scar tissue that has built up after surgeons were forced to cut through muscles to repair an artery in his left thigh.
Although he has months of rehabilitation ahead of him, the 26-year-old is determined to play again.
He is unlikely to return before the end of the season but has been lifted by a trip to West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground.
A Hammers source said: "It's going to be a long way back for Calum but he was buzzing just to be among the lads again.
"They're made up to see him. Everybody at the club realises what he's been through but it's not until you see Calum that you discover just how bad it was. Everybody at the club is just hoping he'll be back before too long."
Davenport's return momentarily distracted West Ham minds from their perilous position on and off the pitch.
The Hammers take on Arsenal at Upton Park today with just five points from their first eight games.
Zola admitted: "If we play well and get results then who knows, maybe a billionaire can come and buy us. Everything then becomes easier.
"But I also know the longer you're at the bottom the more difficult it is to find a buyer. That is why I want to focus even more on getting results. I know exactly what I have to do. I'm doing my best and the players are doing even more. The results have not been good enough but I think the performances have been good. Maybe we just need a bit of luck.
"Arsenal will be very difficult for us but maybe with the fans behind us in a London derby we can get the result to change the direction of the season."
The position is further complicated by questions over ownership.
Chairman Andrew Bernhardt has not yet agreed to meet representatives of an American-backed consortium headed by tycoon Jim Bowe, who is willing to spend £100million on the club. Club sources said Bernhardt has told them to supply proof of funds.
It is understood the club's holding company, CB Holdings, want to wait and see if other potential buyers move in an attempt to raise the sale price.
Former Birmingham owners David Sullivan and David Gold, though, will not be rushed and are wary of West Ham's debt, which some City analysts argue is well over £45m.
Investor
A potential Arab investor has yet to follow up his interest after a preliminary meeting last week.
If West Ham attempt to use the interest of Bowe and his investment company, Intermarket Group, to initiate a bidding battle, Bowe will back off.
Indeed, unless Bowe and his London- based investors are invited to go through due diligence and have a 28-day lockdown period before deciding whether to proceed within a fortnight, they will withdraw their offer.
Unless a new owner comes in soon, England stars Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole may have to be sold to placate creditors.
Zola admits he may have to consider his position if he is forced to sell his best players. He said: "I want to see this situation through. However, if things change in terms of certain players being sold I may have to look at how I deal with that."
www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/565082/MIRACLE-MAN-DAVENPORT-TO-PLAY-AGAIN-Brave-Hammers-defender-has-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.html
News of The World - MIRACLE MAN DAVENPORT TO PLAY AGAIN
Calum given all-clear to return
By Neil Ashton & Rob Shepherd, 24/10/2009
CALUM Davenport has been told he told he will play again - despite having a 15-inch scar on his leg.
Davenport was attacked in August and surgeons feared the wounds to his leg were so severe he may never properly recover.
But the Hammers defender met with boss Gianfranco Zola this week to talk about his future after specialists confirmed there are no reasons why he should not resume his career.
The major hurdle he has to overcome is the extensive scar tissue that has built up after surgeons were forced to cut through muscles to repair an artery in his left thigh.
Although he has months of rehabilitation ahead of him, the 26-year-old is determined to play again.
He is unlikely to return before the end of the season but has been lifted by a trip to West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground.
A Hammers source said: "It's going to be a long way back for Calum but he was buzzing just to be among the lads again.
"They're made up to see him. Everybody at the club realises what he's been through but it's not until you see Calum that you discover just how bad it was. Everybody at the club is just hoping he'll be back before too long."
Davenport's return momentarily distracted West Ham minds from their perilous position on and off the pitch.
The Hammers take on Arsenal at Upton Park today with just five points from their first eight games.
Zola admitted: "If we play well and get results then who knows, maybe a billionaire can come and buy us. Everything then becomes easier.
"But I also know the longer you're at the bottom the more difficult it is to find a buyer. That is why I want to focus even more on getting results. I know exactly what I have to do. I'm doing my best and the players are doing even more. The results have not been good enough but I think the performances have been good. Maybe we just need a bit of luck.
"Arsenal will be very difficult for us but maybe with the fans behind us in a London derby we can get the result to change the direction of the season."
The position is further complicated by questions over ownership.
Chairman Andrew Bernhardt has not yet agreed to meet representatives of an American-backed consortium headed by tycoon Jim Bowe, who is willing to spend £100million on the club. Club sources said Bernhardt has told them to supply proof of funds.
It is understood the club's holding company, CB Holdings, want to wait and see if other potential buyers move in an attempt to raise the sale price.
Former Birmingham owners David Sullivan and David Gold, though, will not be rushed and are wary of West Ham's debt, which some City analysts argue is well over £45m.
Investor
A potential Arab investor has yet to follow up his interest after a preliminary meeting last week.
If West Ham attempt to use the interest of Bowe and his investment company, Intermarket Group, to initiate a bidding battle, Bowe will back off.
Indeed, unless Bowe and his London- based investors are invited to go through due diligence and have a 28-day lockdown period before deciding whether to proceed within a fortnight, they will withdraw their offer.
Unless a new owner comes in soon, England stars Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole may have to be sold to placate creditors.
Zola admits he may have to consider his position if he is forced to sell his best players. He said: "I want to see this situation through. However, if things change in terms of certain players being sold I may have to look at how I deal with that."
www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/565082/MIRACLE-MAN-DAVENPORT-TO-PLAY-AGAIN-Brave-Hammers-defender-has-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.html