WEST HAM defender Julien Faubert played one of his best games of the season against Blackburn on Saturday just 48 hours after learning that his mother had died in France. He flew back to France on Thursday, but insisted on returning to England in time to

WEST HAM defender Julien Faubert played one of his best games of the season against Blackburn on Saturday just 48 hours after learning that his mother had died in France.

He flew back to France on Thursday, but insisted on returning to England in time to take his place for Saturday's Premier League match at Upton Park.

Faubert sported a black armband for the match, and though he returned once more to France after Saturday's game, he will be back in time to prepare for the trip to Burnley this coming weekend.

Faubert's decision mirrors that of young Jack Collison, who learned that his father had died in a motorbike accident on the M25 on the way to watch his son play against Spurs at Upton Park.

Despite the loss, he still decided to turn out against Millwall in the Carling Cup three days later.

MEANWHILE Faubert has applied for an Algerian passport in a bid to play against England in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

The 26-year-old has played just one game for his native France, and that was a friendly, making him eligible to switch camps as his wife and son have dual citizenship.

"I'm waiting for France, but nothing," he reflected. "I am 26, the World Cup is coming now, the next one will be when I am 30, so I have to know now.