Allardyce explains Parker absence

Sam Allardyce says Scott Parker was left out of today's visit to Nottingham Forest as he isn't 'mentally right'.

The Hammers boss, speaking ahead of United's Championship clash at the City Ground toldSky Sports that his most saleable asset had been left behind as a result of the continuing speculation regarding his future.

"There's some negotiating going on obviously and in the cold light of day we didn't think that Scott would be mentally right to play in today's game so we left him behind," he said.

"It's another product of this ridiculous [transfer] window that we have. We have to deal with that, see how things go but I think we'll all be glad when the window shuts on Wednesday.

"Scott, in the situation we're in, it's probably right for everybody that he doesn't play today. It'll come to fruition in the next 24 hours or so anyway so we'll just wait and see what happens."

Allardyce's comments are reminiscent of quotes made in 2003 by then Chairman Terry Brown, who said of young striker Jermain Defoe shortly before his sale to Tottenham "everyone knows that boy's not right in the head".