Hammers look to overcome Dyer blow

Alan Curbishley has revealed he could have to dip into the transfer market after new signing England winger Kieron Dyer suffered a double-fracture to his lower right leg.

Dyer, who has been plagued by injury problems in recent years, was taken to hospital after being tackled by winger Joe Jacobson during the Hammers' 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers in the second round of the Carling Cup.

The 28-year-old England winger is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines less than a fortnight after completing his move from Newcastle United to Upton Park.

After the final whistle Curbishley reflected: "We are so devastated for him. I can't put it into words really. The game was immaterial after that. You put a strong side out and you wonder why sometimes."

The Hammers boss added of Jacobson's tenth-minute challenge on Dyer: "I think the Bristol Rovers player has got to be very disappointed with his tackle. As far as I can see he has lashed out after losing the ball and caught Kieron in a difficult area."

Curbishley has also lost fellow new signings Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker and Julien Faubert to injury and has hinted he could look to add to his squad.

He said: "I am sitting there with £20 million worth of players out injured. It's disappointing but we have just got to get on with it and that's what the squad is for.

"We are treading on eggshells. It is a little bit delicate for us at the moment. I will have to assess it but that right-hand side - who would want to come and play for us with what has happened there?"

Craig Bellamy bagged a brace, his first goals for his new club, to put West Ham in the third round of the competition before Andrew Williams' strike for Rovers set up a tense last 18 minutes at the Memorial Stadium.

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