Hammers preparing to lose England stars

Posted Friday, May 06, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - West Ham bosses have admitted they expect to lose several of their England internationals if they are relegated from the Premier League.

The Hammers sit bottom of the table, three points from safety with only three games remaining.

Footballer of the Year Scott Parker, as well as goalkeeper Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all figure in the national set-up.

And Hammers co-owner David Gold admitted it would be "unfair" and "unrealistic" to expect them to play their football in the second tier Championship.

Gold told BBC's Football Focus: "It's unfair to tell a player to forego your potential England career to come down and play in the Championship."

He added: "It's unrealistic to ask an England player to come down and play in the Championship.

"It impacts on his career. Would I try (to prevent it)? Of course, I would try but you would have a one in 10 chance."

The 74-year-old's admission may cause controversy, especially as it comes after co-owner David Sullivan opted not to attend the Hammers' 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday because of their miserable away form.

Gold, who has recently been in hospital after contracting cholangitis - an infection of the common bile duct - and septicaemia, was ready to take his share of responsibility if the club are relegated.

He said: "Do I blame myself? There is no doubt you end up blaming yourself.

"You go over the decisions you have made and yes, you have to take the blame. At the time you think you have done the best job.

"When the (January transfer) window closed I thought we had done enough."