October 22 2003

Hayden Mullins

West Ham United have signed Hayden Mullins on a month's loan, with a view to a permanent deal.

New West Ham boss Alan Pardew has made Mullins his first capture since taking over at Upton Park.

Mullins was omitted from the squad who lost 4-3 to Ipswich on Tuesday night and Pardew was delighted with the move: "I thought it was important that we boosted the squad quickly and I have captured a player that I feel is going to add significantly to us.

"The beauty of Hayden is that he can play in various positions and give us cover in a number of those, though unfortunately, that has held back his progress in the last couple of years.

"He needs to get another 20 per cent out of his game - I see that is in there, and it is up to me to get that out of him

"He is 24 and has played 250-odd first division or Premier League games - and in my opinion this boy is a Premier League player.

"I think ultimately he is a central midfield player for us and I think his energy will be important; he will have to battle in the midfield.

"He is someone we are going to look to when we are up against it, to win the battle and give the room to people like Don Hutchison, Michael Carrick, Rob Lee, and Kevin Horlock to play.

"He is very much a destroyer and I think we are desperate for one of those."