Bye Bye Bywater

Hammers 'keeper Stephen Bywater has joined Championship side Coventry City on loan.

A deal has been agreed with the Sky Blues that will keep the former England U21 custodian at the newly-built Ricoh Stadium until the end of the year, though it is believed that the agreement includes a recall clause in the event of an injury crisis at the Boleyn.

Bywater's first team opportunities were looking severely limited following the close season signings of Roy Carroll and Shaka Hislop.

Signed as a 17 year-old from Rochdale, Bywater started last season as first choice between the sticks but lost his place in the latter part of the season to Jimmy Walker.

Bywater's last appearance came in the Play-Off final in Cardiff when he came on for the final stages following the fall that led to the knee injury that will keep Walker out of contention for a large part of the coming season.