Alex Song QUITS Cameroon

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce received a huge boost on Tuesday night when influential midfielder Alex Song announced his international retirement, meaning he will be available to play in Barclays Premier League and FA Cup matches for his club this month rather than participating in the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.

Allardyce was at Goodison Park speaking about his side's 1-1 FA Cup third-round draw against Everton when news broke that Song had told his national association that he didn't want to play for them any more.

The Hammers manager had to choose his words carefully so that he or West Ham couldn't be deemed by FIFA to be putting any pressure on the player but he will be delighted at the prospect of Song returning home from Cameroon in time for their match against Swansea on Saturday.