The departure of Michael Carrick could be a boost for West Ham now his move to Spurs is complete.

Getting a chance - Trent McClenahan (right) tracks Southend's Mark Gower on Tuesday Picture: NICK ANSELL

Carrick's protracted departure has cast a shadow over the opening weeks of the Hammers' season, but now manager Alan Pardew is looking to put all the negative speculation behind him.

"I'm hoping this will be a thing where we grow stronger from now on," he said. "We have started the season without Michael in our team and without being able to use any money to strengthen the squad.

"Now he's gone we can start to bring in players and I hope we will be stronger before Saturday."

Pardew is expecting to be handed a small transfer budget following Carrick's departure, and the £350,000 sale of Jobi McAnuff to Cardiff City.

It had been assumed that the Carrick fee, in the region of £3m, would be largely consumed in servicing the club's £33m debts.

But the boss confirmed there will be money to spend on players.

"There's only a small kitty, but it will be absolutely essential for us," he said. "Now we know the score with the Carrick money we have already been making enquiries about signings.

"We are not just looking in the Premiership, we are looking everywhere."

Published Thursday August 26, 2004

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