Ss On Future

Sebastien Schemmel hopes to stay in England with the Hammers when his loan runs out in the summer but, either way, he will be heading for these shores next season.

He certainly does not want to go back to Metz, with whom his relationship is irreparably damaged, and even offers from France are not tempting him.

"I have a choice to make - I'm a professional, and I'm there to provide for my family. Above all, I'm there to play and provide pleasure.

"Next season will be a very good one for me, and whether it is with West Ham or not it will be in England."

Harry does not want to commit himself until the summer, but there is no doubting the fans are a big hit with Sebastien, even if he doesn't play all the time.

"The rapport with the supporters is extraordinary," he says. "They are people who know their football, and are people with passion.

"I have passion as well and I know where they are coming from because because my family never had any money.

"So I know to pay for a ticket is difficult and I want to repay them by my activities on the field.

"It is life; and I am very happy to have known these supporters - I could run for hours and hours on their behalf.

"I could train seven days a week for them...but it is not they who can pick me for the next match.

"If I keep my head on my shoulders I will still have a desire to battle for West Ham, that is one thing that is sure."

He was subbed again on Monday against Newcastle, and says of the defeat: "Everyone is disappointed because we didn't play well.

"I think we could have won but we weren't good enough and Newcastle were better in their ball work. They deserved to win against what was a below par West Ham."

The Hammers go into the game hoping to keep a clean sheet at the ninth time of asking; the last being in the FA cup against Sunderland.

* Good luck to ticket office manager Steve Kitcher, who is running the London marathon for West Ham in the annual football challenge. Steve is hoping for a time of four to four and a half hours. Good luck, too, to any other West Ham fans running at the weekend.