Hammers say no to Bellamy move

While Ferdinand was in the North East today to undergo a medical before completing his expected £8million switch to Sunderland, a move apparently against the wishes of West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, there was fresh speculation of a fire sale at the Premier League club.

Bellamy and even England central defender Matthew Upson were rumoured to be up for sale but West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury issued a firm denial.

He said: "We have absolutely no intention of selling Craig Bellamy. He is under contract and is committed to the club. Craig remains a very important part of our plans.

"The club are being run on sound football and business principles in order to develop a squad which can deliver success this season. No player would be bought or sold unless that helped to achieve that aim.

"We are not interested in selling players who are committed to the club. Only if a player refuses to sign a new contract or is not crucial to the manager's plans then we will look at offers on a case-by-case basis. It is the only sensible way to build for the future." Bellamy trained with the first-team squad at Chadwell Heath but was not expected to be included in the team to play Macclesfield in the Carling Cup tomorrow night.

"As far as I am concerned there won't be any more players leaving before the window closes," said Curbishley.

"In fact, we're still looking to add to the squad if we can, although the last week before the window closes is always difficult."

Curbishley has made it clear he was against selling former England Under-21 defender Ferdinand to Sunderland but added: "Anton is up there talking to them. I've said all I'm going to on that subject. We have an important game tomorrow and I want to attack the Carling Cup like we did last season, because a Premier League club is going to win it.

"It was a disappointing weekend for us. We didn't play very well against Manchester City [West Ham lost 3-0] apart from the first 10 minutes but we're looking forward to this game. The players were critical of themselves. I asked them for some observations afterwards and the main one was that it was down to them.

"Everyone is looking to bounce back now, both tomorrow and on Saturday against Blackburn."

Curbishley expects to have Northern Ireland international full-back George McCartney back after injury and illness tomorrow night and will play his strongest team.

"We had a good run in this competition last season before going out to Everton in the quarter-final and we need this game after Sunday so it will be a strong line-up."

Curbishley, who has irritated the West Ham board with his comments about Ferdinand, could also be heading for a confrontation with Wales over Bellamy and James Collins.

The pair have been called up for international duty by Welsh coach John Toshack but Curbishley said: "Craig hasn't played for three weeks while Collins is nowhere near at the moment."

The beleagured West Ham manager expects a tough game tomorrow.

"They will make it as tough as they can for us," he said. "They will relish this match. They're a big side who work very hard so we need to be on our game."