Izzie's Off

Izzie Iriekpen admits that his days at West Ham are numbered.

The central defender, whose career was nearly ended by a knee injury, was given a one year contract last summer, but hasn't been able to make the breakthrough into the first team.

He went on loan to Leyton Orient earlier in the campaign, scoring two goals, and nearly joined Northampton Town in a similar deal recently - until he got injured.

He has now joined Cambridge United on loan, scoring on his debut for them, and he says: "It was just unfortunate that Northampton's manager got sacked the week I was going to sign so I went to Cambridge instead.

"It is a different pace from reserve team football so it is good to be playing in the first team, definitely."

He hopes the move will be a springboard to continuing his career elsewhere, and he adds: "If a club comes in with an offer of first team football I will go.

"It is all about playing football; obviously, having played here since I was a schoolboy it will be disappointing to leave.

"I have had a good grounding at Upton Park, so hopefully I can put it to good use.

"There are some good fans at West Ham, so I hope they stay up - they have the talent to do it."