Troy Pratt has confirmed he is coming out of retirement to return to Arena Essex this season.

His decision to quit last July caused all sorts of problems for Hammers and they went on to finish third from bottom in the Premier League.

To some fans Pratt's change of mind will be viewed with some scepticism and even team manager Peter Thorogood admits he is taking something of a gamble.

"I know that some supporters blame our poor season because of what Troy did and one has to say it did leave us with a problem," he said.

"At the time he left there was really little chance of me getting an adequate replacement although I spent a hell of a lot of of hours trying to do so.

"But Troy's mind wasn't on riding and he was making mistakes you wouldn't associate with a rider of his ability and felt it was unfair on himself and other riders to continue - and that was a very courageous decision.

"When a rider retires and then comes back there is a gamble about it. Troy, though, has his hunger back, only wants to ride for us and is 100 per cent sure of his decision."

If Pratt returns to the form of two seasons ago, then Hammers will have picked up a steal because for purposes of the team average rule, is assessed at last year's 6.24. In previous years he has been over eight points a meeting.

Also having put pen to paper for the year - which begins with the Essex Championship on Good Friday (April 2) - is skipper Colin White, which leaves Thorogood just a rider short of the seven.

Along with the above pair, Hammers have Leigh Lanham, Matt Read, Roger Lobb, on loan from Exeter, and last year's outstanding youth development rider Gary Corbett.

Thorogood has a 4.60 point rider to find to make up the team average, which this season in the Premier has been reduced by two points to 41.

Jan Pedersen, second to Lanham in 1998 among Hammers' scorers, has had his transfer request granted.

The Dane has had a long association with the club, having first ridden in 1991.

"We would have liked Jan to stay, but talks over his wage demands reached stalemate, so there was only one course of action for both parties," explained Thorogood.

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