Hadji staying with Hammers

Moroccan international Mustapha Hadji has rejected a loan move to West Ham because he still believes he has a future at Aston Villa.

Hadji was wanted for a two-month spell by West Ham manager Alan Pardew which would have taken him up until the reopening of the transfer window in January.

But the 31-year-old, who has managed just 20 minutes of first-team football this season, believes he is still good enough to play in the Premiership.

The former Coventry player said: “The move to West Ham would have taken me to the start of the transfer window but I would have only played a few games and then I’d be back and what was the point of that?

“If it had been any longer, I’d have thought about it but I know I am good enough to play for Villa.

“The manager says we need some creativity in the final third of the pitch and I think I would help the team.”