Ilunga: no confidence

Herita Ilunga has claimed that he had little choice but to leave the Boleyn Ground.

The Conogolese full-back left West Ham this week in order to join Doncaster Rovers on a three-month loan deal having been made surplus to requirements by Sam Allardyce.

It is a move that Ilunga - who turned down a similar loan move to Celtic on transfer deadline day - says he would happily extend for the entire season, having been made to feel unwanted at West Ham.

"It was difficult to be there [at West Ham] because I lost all confidence from the manager and the players," Ilunga told local rag The Star. “Maybe the best solution was for me to come here. I just want to do the best I can. I feel like they want me to come in and help them - and that is important for me.

"I am very happy to be here [at Doncaster]. We have a very good team and some good footballers and I am here to add to the team and to do what the manager wants me to do. It is a chance for me to get my career back on track.

"The deal is for three months and I hope I can do well and stay all season. I would have signed for the whole season. I have to play well during this three months and after that, we will see what happens."

Ilunga's capture has been hailed as a steal by new Donny boss Dean Saunders who claimed that his club will be paying around £5k per week in wages for the 29-year-old, with West Ham continuing to pick up the remainder of the tab.

"He is a class player - and we have managed to get him for next to nothing," boasted Saunders.

“We can’t afford to bring him for the whole season. What we have managed to get him here for is unbelievable. I’ve used my contacts and I would like to thank West Ham for letting us have him for a sixth of his wages. He is earning a lot less than the players who are here."