No Olympics for me

Winston Reid has rejected the chance to feature for New Zealand at this summer's Olympic Games in order to concentrate on preparing for the forthcoming Premier League campaign.

Reid was set to be one of three overage players named in the Kiwis' Olympic Squad that heads for London next month.

However the 23-year-old has rejected the opportunity in order to ensure he has the best possible chance of featuring for the Hammers when the season kicks off at home to Aston Villa in August.

Replying to suggestions that Sam Allardyce had told he that he could not be involved, Reid told RadioSport: "It was my decision and I felt what I was doing was the right decision.

"I'm not saying I didn't want to go to the Olympics or play for New Zealand, because I would have loved to, but I've got other commitments right now and in the long run that will hopefully benefit myself and New Zealand as well.

"It would be different if I'd been at the club for six or seven years and I'd been playing regularly then maybe I could have done it, but I needed to work hard this pre-season and make sure the spot's mine at West Ham.

"Of course I'd love to be at the Olympics, but I'll hopefully get the opportunity to take part in one later on in my career."