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Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop will spend the English Premier League 2005/06 season with former employers, West Ham United, but he will not be expecting to emulate his past success with the east London club who he helped steer into Europe, six years ago.


The 36-year-old Hislop signed for a one-year deal with the newly promoted "Hammers" yesterday as a free agent, after being released by fellow Premiership outfit Portsmouth, but prefers not to compare eras.

"I don't know if this season can compare to the last time I was at the club," Hislop told the Daily Express. "The last time I joined West Ham, they had finished seventh or eight in the previous season and we went on to end in fifth (in my debut season). But it is clearly a very different time with different circumstances.

"Survival will obviously be the aim this year."

His own first team position has changed drastically as well.

In 1998, then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp recruited Hislop, who joined on a free from Newcastle United, as the missing link in a burgeoning team that included Rio Ferdinand, Paolo Di Canio, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Ian Wright. Hislop fulfilled expectations as he was named the club's most valuable player on his debut season.

But, in his second stint at the their Upton Park headquarters, his role is a less glamorous one as manager Alan Pardew asked him to start as number two to Irish international and former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

"Roy Carroll would certainly start as number one which I fully expected," said Hislop.

"Pardew expects me to push him very hard for a first team shirt and keep him on his toes, which is something I feel I can do."

Hislop admitted that he was very close to signing for League Championship outfit, Crystal Palace, and was more concerned with enjoying his football than playing at the highest level.

He is anxious to rediscover the bonhomie he lost at Portsmouth after being frozen out the first team following the controversial departure of Redknapp, who he had again teamed up with at the south coast club.

"The last six or seven months had a detrimental effect on me and my enjoyment of the game," he said. "I just want to fall in love with the game again and I didn't have to stay in the Premiership for that.

"I was actually very close to joining Crystal Palace. But I am happy to be at West Ham who have made me feel wanted and look forward to feeling a part of things here.

"I had a very good time here before and still have a very good rapport with the fans. Things have changed a lot. The stadium is now completed and the training ground is much more professional but there are many familiar faces too.

"I am looking forward to renewing my relationship with the people of West Ham."

Hislop also rejoins former Portsmouth teammate and England international star, Teddy Sheringham, while West Ham captain Christian Dailly was a squad member in his first stint with the London club.

Hislop's last visited Upton Park two years ago for a Play Off semi-final match between West Ham and Ipswich Town. Supporters often abuse returning players but Hislop received warm applause as tribute for his contribution to the London club.

He hopes to enhance that loving feeling this season.