WEST HAM midfielder Jack Collison has spoken for the first time about the “incredible” support he has received from fans following the death of his father.

The Welsh international surprised many by asking to play in the Hammers' Carling Cup tie against Millwall on Tuesday, despite his dad dying 48 hours earlier in a road accident on the M25 near Epping.

The highly-charged game will be remembered for the violence which erupted outside Upton Park before the game started.

West Ham won the tense tie 3-1 after extra-time with goals from Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines for the Irons while Neil Harris gave Millwall a shock lead.

Collison remained on the pitch after the game for five minutes to applaud fans for giving him the strength to play.

The 20-year-old, who had members of his family watching, was consoled by team-mates and backroom staff, with first-team coach Steve Clarke accompanying him back to the dressing room.

Collison said: “I just want to thank our fans for their tremendous support at what is such a difficult time for me and my family.

“It was incredible. It is something I will never ever forget and I will be trying my best to repay them on the pitch in all our matches.”

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola was full of praise for the midfielder.

“He told me straight away that he wanted to play. He wanted to be here and I just decided that he had to play.

“He made himself available. He showed what kind of boy he is. Not many would have done that.”

Defender Callum Davenport and his mother Kim Stupple were stabbed at her home in Kempston, Bedfordshire, on Saturday.

He is having emergency surgery on his legs and his career is reportedly in the balance.

Worrell Whitehurst, 25, of Finsley Walk, Derby, has been charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and appeared before magistrates in Bedford on Monday, August 25.