Former Leeds United boss David O'Leary has praised West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer.

O'Leary said he 'played out of his skin' during the trial when he was charged with assaulting an Asian student in January 2000. Bowyer was later cleared of all charges.

Bowyer is set to join Birmingham City this week and O'Leary told the Daily Mail: "If a manager asked me about Lee all I could say are good things. Bowyer was late once for me and I thought he was joking because he said he was taking his dog to the vet. I checked and it was true."