Davenport relishing challenge

Calum Davenport is looking forward to the battle ahead after joining West Ham.

The defender joined The Hammers from Tottenham for an undisclosed fee and has put pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Davenport has made ten Premiership appearances for Spurs this term but knows he is not first-choice and is eager to play more regularly.

And he explained that a positive experience on loan at West Ham earlier in his career made his decision simple.

"Obviously I was here on loan 18 months ago and thoroughly enjoyed my time here. It's a fantastic club," he told Sky Sports News.

"I realise how much it means to people to stay in the Premiership and I want to be a part of it.

"I could have stayed at Spurs, they are still in all the cups, and played my part, but I don't forget the way they (West Ham) treated me when I first joined the club and hopefully I can repay them by playing my part in keeping us up.

"It's no good if I'm sitting on the bench at Tottenham. This is a real challenge down here for me and I want to prove myself."

Alan Curbishley is thrilled to have captured Davenport and expects him to make an immediate difference to a West Ham side still reeling from the 3-3 draw with Fulham on Saturday.

"I'm delighted to have brought in Calum Davenport," Curbishley enthused.

"I came away from Upton Park at the weekend doubly disappointed. First, we'd lost two points in the last minute, and second, we've took some injuries.

"So we've had to move quickly and I'm delighted we've done it.

"Calum's been playing regularly at Spurs, so we know he's fully fit.

"He wanted to come here, he's been here before, so he knows the place quite well, and he's looking forward to the challenge."