Soccer: Reid in dark over Italian interest

Winston Reid. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Whites defender Winston Reid says he has no knowledge of interest from an Italian Serie A soccer club and is focused solely on helping West Ham United's fight to remain in the English Premier League (EPL).

Reid has been linked in the British media to a move to Chievo Verona, who are currently 12th in the Italian top flight club.

But he said today he had not had any contact with the club and his only concern was West Ham's plight, with the London club staring relegation to the Championship in the face.

They are bottom of the EPL, at least four points from safety, and will probably need to win their last two matches to avoid the drop.

"I haven't heard anything," Reid told Radio Live when asked about potential interest from Chievo.

"I haven't thought about moving or anything. I just need to finish this season off and hopefully we can stay in the league.

"I'm just concentrating on our last few games and finishing the season off."

This is Reid's first season at West Ham and while he has not featured prominently - he has made seven starts and five appearances off the bench in all competitions - he said he was happy at Upton Park and had no current plans to leave at season's end, even if they are relegated.

"I haven't thought about that, stuff like that I'm not too fussed about right now," he said.

"I'm happy here and it's a good club, we just need to get us out of this situation. I've only been here for one year - I obviously haven't played as much as possible but I believe in my qualities and eventually my time will come."

Reid, who is contracted to West Ham until June 2013, believed they had to win their final two matches - away to Wigan and at home against Sunderland - to stay on the main stage.

"It's not impossible, but it will be difficult."

- NZPA