Injury-plagued Kieron Dyer will cost West Ham United almost £30 million when his contract expires.

The Daily Mail says Dyer has started only five Barclays Premier League games for the Hammers in two-and-a-half years and has yet to score a goal for the club.

The former England midfielder is fast becoming an emblem of the reckless financial regime of Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and his sidekick Eggert Magnusson.

West Ham's medical team raised doubts about Dyer's signing when he arrived from Newcastle in August 2007 but the transfer was rushed through before the deadline because the owners were keen to showcase top-class players.

Dyer, who has managed just 558 minutes of League action for the club, signed a four-year deal reported to be worth £70,000 a week but broke his right leg soon after his debut and missed more than a year as he suffered complications in his recovery.

His transfer fee was £7m - £1m more than the figure publicised at the time - and the agents' fees on the deal cost the Hammers another £1m.

Together with bonuses and National Insurance contributions, the club can expect to have paid out the thick end of £30m for him by the time his contract has expired at the end of next season.