Chasing Cole for $2,400 traffic fine

LONDON - WEST Ham's striker Carlton Cole is a wanted man.

Debt collectors were refused entry to the Hammers' Essex training ground on Monday, when they tried to collar him.

According to The Sun, the 23-year-old former Chelsea player is believed to owe around £800 (S$2,400) following several weeks of non-payment in a dispute with the Transport For London (TFL).

He is refusing to pay as he says he is innocent.

His reason?

He was not driving the car when it passed through the Central London Congestion Zone.

He did not say who was driving, and the date of the incident is not known.

The club's staff turned the debt collectors away when they turned up just before training on Monday at around 10.30am.

A TFL spokesman said: 'It is important anyone who receives a notice or subsequent communication in the post, responds to it promptly.

'There is an appeals procedure if a driver wishes to contest it.''

Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett declined to comment on Monday night.

The embarrassing incident is another one which the beleaguered West Ham do not need.

The Hammers are still recovering from last Saturday's 0-4 humiliation by Charlton at The Valley.

And the Cole incident follows a series of controversial off-field events.

Midfielder Matthew Etherington has confessed to a serious gambling addiction.

He is now undergoing rehab counselling at a private clinic on the South Coast.

Earlier this season, goalkeeper Roy Carroll admitted to similar problems as well as alcohol addiction.

Former West Ham player Julian Dicks has blasted the current players for their lack of commitment.

He feels manager Alan Curbishley should select the young players instead.

He told The Sun: 'I get emotional every time I think about it, because these players are earning big money and are failing to give 110 per cent.

'I'd certainly put the kids in. They will give you that kind of commitment and would be wanting to prove that they should be in the team.'