Tributes for knife victim Davenport

THERE WAS an air of disbelief around Upton Park before Sunday s game as the realisation of Calum Davenport s serious injuries failed to sink in for many West Ham supporters. The mild-mannered 26-year-old Hammers defender was stab-bed in the legs at his mo

THERE WAS an air of disbelief around Upton Park before Sunday's game as the realisation of Calum Davenport's serious injuries failed to sink in for many West Ham supporters.

The mild-mannered 26-year-old Hammers defender was stab-bed in the legs at his mother's home in Bed-ford on Friday night, leaving him with serious wounds.

His mother was also stab-bed in the incident.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola summed up the feelings of the staff after the match, saying: "We are very sorry for what happened to him.

"It is a terrible story and we can only imagine what he has been through in those moments, and we are close to him. Hopefully he will get better very quick."

The tall centre half, who joined West Ham from Spurs in a �3million deal in January 2007, was expected to secure a loan move to Nottingham Forest this week, now it is unclear if he will ever play again.

"The doctor told me that his situation is stable and he is okay," continued Zola. "Obviously the situation will become more clear in the next few days, but for the moment he is stable.

"It is unbelievable. You don't expect bad things like this to happen, especially to people that you know."

Scott Parker spoke for the players when he said: "We're just hearing stories from other people and all I can say is that he's a great lad and I hope that he gets better soon.

"I'm sure he will and get back playing as soon as possible.