West Ham's Gabbidon suffering witch-hunt

West Ham United defender Danny Gabbidon has been the victim of a Welsh "witch-hunt", says Wales assistant manager Dean Saunders.

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Gabbidon and his friend Robert Earnshaw have taken the brunt of criticism after Wales boss John Toshack blasted the pampered life-style and commitment of his top players.

Saunders said: "Tosh was careful to talk in general terms, not just singling out one or two players. Anything else would be wrong.

"Gabbidon is now playing every week for West Ham, he's a good lad and I know that because I have played in the same side as him. I don't think he should be picked on.

"The finger has not been pointed at Danny, that would be the wrong slant on things.

"He missed six months through injury, then got hurt again in pre-season and came to play for us without any first-team football.

"That is difficult for anyone."

He added: "He is a very important player for us, one of our most experienced players and he is not that old.

"He plays an influential position marshalling the defence, and we need him playing at the top of his game for us.

"But it is helping him now that he is playing every week for West Ham, because that wasn't the case earlier in the season.

"He has got better and better with each game and he has trained really well for us and looked very positive."