Craig Forrest signed for the Hammers in the 1997 close season, after 13 years at Portman Road with Ipswich. The big Canadian international joined the Suffolk club from Vancouver as an apprentice and made over 300 first team appearances. His position in the Ipswich first team under threat and lack of Premiership action not helping his World Cup campaign with Canada, Craig jumped at the chance to return to the big time when offered a contract at Upton Park.

The big 'keeper faces another season in Shaka Hislop's shadow, but after signing a new contract at the end of the 98/99 season, he insists he is just happy to be here:

"The most important thing is the team winning and playing well. I will be looking to take my chance when it comes."

Forrest certainly took his chance when misfortune landed in the lap of his rival for the number one jersey, Hislop, who broke his leg in February.

As well as returning to the fold, it was a good month on the international scene for the Canadian as his country surprisingly won the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

But just as Forrest seemed poised for a prolonged run in the starting line-up, he too suffered a cruel injury blow as a hernia problem ruled him out of the final month of the campaign.

The experienced Canadian will be hoping for a change of luck when he returns from injury, but the presence of Hislop and the emergence of Stephen Bywater will ensure there is fierce competition to be the Hammers' first choice keeper.