West Ham United midfielder Nigel Quashie has admitted he considered retiring during his 18 months out with a broken foot. He told skysports.com: "A lot of players have been brought in to the club since I picked up my injury and it's always going to be more difficult for me to get back into contention for a first-team place because I have been out for so long.

"I understand the position that I am in, but I'm not worried about that because it's a relief for me just to be fit again and able to go out and play football.

"At one stage I seriously considered packing it in because I didn't think I would be able to get back to the same level that I was at."

He added: "I've got no concerns about it now because I've come through the games at Birmingham and Wolves and it has stood up to the tests that have been thrown at it during both the games and everyday training exercises.

"I've got an opportunity to go on and play for another couple of years and I intend to enjoy playing football for as long as I can.

"My spell at Birmingham was a brilliant for me and Alex McCleish was first class in helping me to regain my fitness and get some games under my belt.

"Wolves was a little different because they were flying and I knew that I was brought in to help the younger lads get over the finish line, but it still helped me because I was training with the lads there every day."