West Ham boost as Alex Song snubs Cameroon

Midfielder on loan from Barcelona wants to repay the faith shown in him by Sam Allardyce by helping West Ham secure European qualification.

Alex Song has given West Ham United a huge boost by refusing an offer to play for Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations.

West Ham feared Song would complete an about-turn and play in the competition after travelling to Cameroon to talk to federation officials, having been originally left out of the country’s squad.

But Song has decided to turn down the chance to play for his country because he wants to reward the faith shown in him by West Ham manager Sam Allaryce and try to help them secure European qualification.

The midfielder is currently travelling back to England and may even be available for West Ham’s Premier League trip to Swansea City on Saturday. Song had been frozen out of his national team after being sent-off in Cameroon’s World Cup game against Croatia and was the shock omission from last month’s Africa Cup of Nations squad announcement.

His fine West Ham form forced Cameroon manager Volker Finke into a re-think and Song agreed to meet a national team delegation on Monday for talks over his future.

But the former Arsenal star believes he was made a scapegoat for Cameroon’s poor World Cup and has announced his retirement from international football after declining the opportunity to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Song is also desperate to do everything he can to help West Ham secure European qualification this season and has already made himself a hero of the Upton Park faithful.

The 27-year-old is on loan at West Ham from Barcelona until the end of the season and Allardyce is desperate to sign him on a permanent deal, although he will certainly face competition.

West Ham’s surprise Champions League qualification hopes have been hit by two defeats and a draw over Christmas and New Year, but Song’s availability will be a big bonus.

“Alex is doing his own talking over there [in Cameroon] in terms of what is expected from him and he will make a decision about what the situation is," Allardyce said after Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Everton in the FA Cup third round.