Hammers ponder Bellamy surgery

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Bellamy has already spent six weeks on the sidelines after the original surgery, which he underwent in Germany in October, failed to cure the problem.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley said: "We have to decide this week where we are going to go with Craig."

West Ham's medics have been working to find a solution but are beginning to fear more surgery may be the only answer.

And that would almost certainly rule Bellamy out of the club's hectic Christmas schedule, with a run of eight games in a month starting with Wednesday night's Carling Cup quarter-final against Everton.

Over the next four weeks, West Ham also face Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup and six Premier League fixtures including Manchester United and Arsenal.

Curbishley added: "We have to decide whether to continue with the route we are going down which, if it is successful, will result in a shorter route.

"We may have to go down the surgery route which will be a longer one. If that is the case I can't put a time-frame on it."

West Ham believe the problem stemmed from the foot supports Bellamy inserted into his boots during pre-season.

The problem first flared up in West Ham's Carling Cup win over Bristol Rovers in August. Bellamy has made just eight starts since his club record £7.5million move to Upton Park from Liverpool in the summer.