WEST Ham's new stadium may not be ready for another decade, supporters have been told.

Attending a fans' forum, chief executive Scott Duxbury and finance director Nick Igoe admitted problems with gasometers on a site near to West Ham Tube station had caused plans for a new 50,000 stadium to be delayed.

The revelation means the club's original intention to move in to their new home before the 2012 London Olympics now appears highly unlikely.

Supporters were also informed that season ticket prices at Upton Park are set to rise by an around five per cent next season, West Ham supporters have been told.

Fans were informed that season tickets would cost between four and five per cent more in 2008/09.

The pair also said the Irons over-sized squad will be trimmed to around 24 players this summer to cut the club's vast wage bill and improve morale.

The Irons currently list 33 first team players, while the club also employs a further 20 youth team professionals.

A number of Curbishley's signings - made with the permission of former chairman Eggert Magnusson - are on wages in excess of £60,000-a-week, including captain Lucas Neill and midfielders Freddie Ljungberg and Scott Parker.

And Icelandic billionaire chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson - whose own fortune has been reduced by the worldwide banking crisis - has responded by reportedly ordering manager Alan Curbishley to reduced his playing staff.

>HAMMERS teenage defender Jordan Spence enjoyed his latest run out for the England Under-18 side as the Young Lions beat Austria 2-0 at Hartlepool United.