West Ham pay off help Etherington pay gambling debts after death threats

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winger Matthew Etherington has received death threats over his £800,000 gambling debts.

The 27-year-old was forced to ask the club for a loan after he was warned that his life would be in danger if he didn't pay off a substantial sum.

Worried bosses gave him a £300,000 wages advance to get him out of immediate danger.

But the Hammers told Etherington, who earns £30,000 a week, he must start counselling for his gambling addiction.

A source said: 'Matthew has been a very worried young man. The club decided they had no choice but to help.

'They know how much courage it took him to come to them. It is not a conversation you want to have with your club.

'Matthew just wants to pay back the money and have this nightmare over.'

A West Ham spokesman said they had given the player "full support" and added: 'We are working to support him through it. Matthew knows he needs professional help and accepts it is a priority in his life.'

The former Spurs star was treated for gambling addiction in 2006 but relapsed after 18 months. The following year he was fined £2,000 and banned from the road for a year after admitting drink-driving.

He then spent a week at Sporting Chance - a rehab clinic set up by former England star Tony Adams.