West Ham United have been dealt a second blow in as many days after the tragic news that young midfielder Jack Collison's father died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday morning.

Ian Collison, 46, was on his way to Upton Park to see his son play in the London derby against Tottenham when he crashed on the M25 near Epping.

Emergency services were called to the crash which occurred just before midday, but Mr Collison from Stevenage, Hertfordshire was pronounced dead at the scene.

The news could not have come at a worse time for the Hammers, with Gianfranco Zola handed the unenviable task of picking up the pieces at a club that is still coming to terms with the shattering news that defender Callum Davenport is fighting to save his career.

The 26-year-old has undergone a second emergency operation on his left leg following the stabbing incident which occurred at his family home in Bedford over the weekend.

Our thoughts here at ExtraFootie are with both the Collison and Davenport families, as well as all those associated with West Ham United during these difficult times.