Neill out for a month

[Andy_Pipkin]

from The Sun newspaper (Was hard to go past page three)

Hammers stung by Neill KO

By PAT SHEEHAN
August 08, 2007


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WEST HAM’S injury curse has struck again with Lucas Neill being ruled out for at least a month.

The newly-appointed Hammers captain suffered the knock in training.

He injured medial knee ligaments following a harmless looking challenge at the end of a practice session on Monday.

His worst fears were realised when medics told him to rest for at least four weeks.

He left the training ground wearing a knee brace for support.

The Hammers are already without summer signings Scott Parker and Julien Faubert as they prepare to kick off the season at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

Wales captain Craig Bellamy or Sweden skipper Freddie Ljungberg could replace Neill as team captain while he is recovering.

West Ham lost star striker Dean Ashton to a season-ending ankle injury before the big kick-off a year ago.

Neill was signed from Blackburn in January — and was out for a month after injuring an ankle in only his second game.

Fellow January arrival Matthew Upson was also crocked on his debut and managed only 11 more minutes all last season.