Bowyer favourite for West Ham exit

Lee Bowyer has been installed 3-1 favourite with bookmaker Paddy Power to be the first player sold by West Ham United after the club’s sudden financial concerns.

The 31-year-old midfield player has started only 30 matches for Hammers since being signed from from Newcastle United in June, 2006, and has yet to figure this campaign, other than in a League Cup fixture.

Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton, despite their injury problems, are 7-1 and 8-1 respectively to be first out of the door at Upton Park. With their transfer value and big wages, either of the two could be used as quick cash generators while similar high earners Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson are 5-1 and 7-1 to be first out.

Gianfranco Zola has been told that he will not receive transfer funds in January and will have to trim his squad of 34 by about ten players to raise money for signings.

Zola is 7-1 to be the first out, himself, while the East London club are now 9-2 second favourites, behind odds-on favourites Newcastle, to be the next Premier League club sold or taken over. Bill Kenwright’s search for a billionaire means Everton are third favourites at 10-1.

Darren Haines, spokesman for the bookie, said: “The credit crunch is really beginning to bite now and West Ham’s ties to the Icelandic banks could see them as one of the first footballing casualties. The question punters are asking is whether the owners will sell the club or sell its assets.”

Who will be the first to leave West Ham: Paddy Power bet:
3-1 Bowyer
4-1 Boa Morte
5-1 Neill
7-1 Zola
7-1 Upson
7-1 Bellamy
8-1 Ashton
10-1 Green
14-1 Noble
18-1 Sears