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Former Hammers hero Jack Collison has been taking a close-up look at Martin Samuelsen and reckons the Hammers have a “genuine superstar” in the making on their hands.

And he doesn’t believe director of football Barry Fry – sometimes prone to exaggeration – is in any way out of order to dub the Norwegian teenager a £20 million player in the making.

Collison – who is headed for managerial roles at The Posh should be be forced into retirement with a knee injury -declared: “That’s perfectly reasonable. Indeed it may be considerably more.

Speaking to ClaretandHugh exclusively he said: “Some of the stuff Martin is doing is totally sensational – it really does take my breath away at times.

“The lad’s amazing. He is doing really really well here because we are a club who like to play it on the ground and that’s where all his strengths are.

“I’ve seen a lot of very good young players coming through the game but Martin is incredibly exciting and we all love watching him here at London Road. He’s a very special talent.”

Jack is still putting a retirement decision on hold saying: “It’s not one you make easily. I’ll take my time.”

And he’s delighted to see the Hammers in such great form declaring: “Slaven has them flying – and it’s absolutely brilliant to watch.”