Bramble training with West Ham... so is Big Sam ready to move for freebie defender?



Titus Bramble has trained with West Ham United on their first day back for pre-season training.

The 31-year-old, who is available on a free transfer following his release from Sunderland, turned up for the Hammers’ first session of the summer at the club’s Chadwell Heath training ground on Monday morning.

Bramble, linked with a move to Turkish club Besiktas over the weekend, has had no other offers since he was let go by Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio at the end of last season.

Face in the crowd: Titus Bramble (circled) trains with West Ham at Chadwell Heath Freebie: Bramble is available for nothing after his release from Sunderland

Back to business: West Ham striker Andy Carroll appeared to be in good spirits as he returned to training

The former Ipswich, Newcastle and Wigan centre-back is clearly looking for new employers to maintain a career which has mostly been played in the top flight.

But his presence with Sam Allardyce’s squad today provoked a series of derogatory comments from Hammers supporters on fans’ forums and social network sites.

Fan Paolo Mulgrew tweeted: `Please God West Ham DO NOT sign Titus Bramble!’

Privately, West Ham are insisting Bramble has simply been offered a place to train while he finds a new club.

But the central defender has been linked with a move to Upton Park in the past and, as a free transfer with vast Premier League experience, could be an option if he impresses.

West Ham have traveled to Ireland for an intensive week-long training camp in Cork and if Bramble is included in that party, it could be that West Ham will be his latest destination after all.

Meanwhile, new £15.5millon record signing Andy Carroll was all smiles as he turned up at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground and there was a return to east London for former Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison, following his successful loan spell at Birmingham.

Carroll will be working hard to regain his fitness in time for the season opener against newly-promoted Cardiff after suffering a heel injury in May.

The striker did not join his team-mates, including new recruit Razvan Rat, during their first session back and instead stuck with his own rehabilitation programme as he ramps up his recovery bid.

Training day: Former Manchester United youngster Morrison will look to make a breakthrough at Upton Park

Up and running: Joe Cole and Jack Collison (L) get to work on their first day back in training

The England international, 24, posted a short message on Twitter, saying: 'Back to business'.

Hammers new Spanish goalkeeper Adrian arrived in a Black Cab for his first day with his new team-mates, who head to Ireland on Tuesday for an intensive week-long training camp.



While most of their Premier League rivals return to training later this week, captain Kevin Nolan believes manager Allardyce is right to bring his team back from the beach early.



West Ham enjoyed an impressive comeback season in the top-flight, finishing in 10th place last term off the back of their promotion from the Championship.



Taxi: West Ham's new goalkeeper Adrian (also pictured below) arrived at the training ground in a Black Cab

New signing: Goalkeeper Adrian turn up for his first day at Chadwell Heath

They host last season's Championship winners Cardiff on the opening day of the new campaign on August 17 and Nolan expects West Ham to get off to a strong start.



'I think we're one of the first Premier League teams back with the season seven weeks away,' he said, speaking to the club's official website .



'Sam's always done it this way, I've always found that he does it the right way and the plan is that we get off to another fantastic start this season.



All smiles: Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan is looking forward to a week training in Ireland, where Ravel Morrison will look to impress manager Sam Allardyce following his return from a loan spell last season at Birmingham



'Looking at all the boys, we've done the bits and bobs we were set out to do by the fitness team over the summer, and we've got our first game on Sunday which we're looking forward to.



'We've got to make sure that step-by-step we get fitter and fitter, and are ready and raring to go when we face Cardiff at the Boleyn Ground for the first game of the season.'



West Ham play their first pre-season game this Sunday against Cork City at the Turner's Cross, and Nolan added: 'I'm looking forward to a good week in Ireland with the boys, catching up on the banter and with what everyone's done over the last six weeks.'

Robert Hall, meanwhile, has left West Ham on a free transfer to join Championship side Bolton.

The 19-year-old, who only made seven senior appearances for the Hammers, spent most of last season out on loan at Birmingham and has signed a three-year deal at the Reebok Stadium.

