Diafra at the races again for Hammers
DIAFRA SAKHO says he could still quit West Ham in January if he does not get more playing time.
Sakho came off the bench to score a lastgasp winner for the Hammers to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Slaven Bilic.
But despite coming in from the cold after his failed attempt to force a move to Rennes, the Senegal striker admits his future is still in doubt.
Sakho is out of contract at the end of the season and has been challenged to earn a new deal by Bilic after being forgiven for going AWOL. But the 27-year-old said: “It’s not easy to prove to the people what I can do when I only play for 10 minutes. But I don’t need to knock on the manager’s door – I showed what I can do, I have to force my way into the team.
“I was very close to leaving but now I’m here and I’m enjoying the little time I’ve had on the pitch to prove myself. I want to enjoy
WEST HAM
being part of this team and we will see what happens in January.”
Sakho wanted to leave so badly he flew to France for a medical with Rennes – and bizarrely ended up at Cheltenham racecourse on deadline day.
Some of Sakho’s team-mates were watching the events unfold on live TV, but Pablo Zabaleta insists all has since been forgiven. “It has not been the best start of the season for him and he has been injured too,” said Zabaleta.
“If you staying here, just give everything you can for this club.”
Swansea goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski needed lengthy treatment after getting clattered by Andy Carroll. He said: “I’m pretty stiff after the collision but I guess that’s all part of the game when you play against him. I know what to expect.”