Schemel to go straight into team

West Ham's new loan signing, full-back Sebastian Schemel, looks likely to go straight into Harry Redknapp's side at Charlton on Monday.

Schemel impressed Redknapp playing for Metz against West Ham in last season's InterToto Cup and the Hammers manager moved today to sign him on loan from the French club for the rest of the season.

"With Trevor Sinclair struggling with a knee injury, we were short of players down the right side," said Redknapp today. "This lad really impressed me when he played for Metz against us and he will be a real asset to us."

Another player who looks certain to make his West Ham debut at The Valley is new £1.7 million signing Christian Dailly, who will replace the suspended Stuart Pearce.

Dailly chose West Ham ahead of Everton and Leicester and said today: "I know I have made the right decision.

"I took my time because that is the type of person I am. We were settled in the north and I had to consider the kids and schools.

"In the end though, you go where the football takes you and coming to West Ham has given me a real sense of excitement, a big buzz.

"Leicester made me a similar offer and then Everton came in late. By that time though I had made up my mind and I didn't even speak to them.

"I've had my first training session here and I can see what talented players there are at the club. West Ham have had a few Scottish players in the past, people like Ray Stewart and Frank McAvennie but there haven't been many players from Scotland who have made a successful career in the Premiership in recent times so I take it as a compliment that I have been asked to come here."

Dailly has not figured in Blackburn manager Graeme Souness's plans this season but said: "These things happen in football. It was nothing to do with football but I just trained even harder and hoped a chance would come for me to move on.

"Now I can't wait to get started again. This has given me a new lease of life."

Meanwhile, Redknapp's delight at signing Schemel was tempered by the news that Chilean international defender Javier Margas has been forced to retire with a chronic knee problem.