West Ham boss Alan Curbishley blames lack of rest for MLS defeat

Alan Curbishley blamed the loss of several senior players for West Ham's shock defeat to Major League Soccer All-Stars yesterday.

Striker Dean Ashton scored twice but could not stop the Hammers going down 3-2 to a side featuring David Beckham at BMO Field.

Several players, including Kieron Dyer and Matthew Upson, are all back at home nursing injuries.

Valon Behrami, a £5m signing from Lazio this week, is also still waiting to link up with his new team-mates on the squad's return to London.

West Ham boss Curbishley said: "The problem is we had five or six senior players missing and the week we've had in America and Toronto means, unfortunately, that some of the players have had to play most of the football.

"I've not really been able to rest anyone. But we've enjoyed our week here."