Radoslav Kovac has revealed that his new West Ham team-mates were thrilled to see Craig Bellamy leave Upton Park

On-loan midfielder Radoslav Kovac has revealed that his new West Ham team-mates were delighted that the club cashed in on Craig Bellamy - because the Wales striker is "a maniac".

Kovac joined the Hammers on loan from Spartak Moscow just days after Bellamy was shipped out to Manchester City in a �13m deal during the January transfer window.

Yet Bellamy appears to have left a lasting impression at Upton Park after Czech Republic star Kovac let slip a number of horror stories about the fiery forward's behaviour.

He said: "His departure has been a positive thing for the players. They are glad he is not in the team. They say he is a maniac. He shouted at everyone who did not pass the ball to him in training, it was crazy."

Kovac has emerged as a key player in West Ham's quest for European qualification, starting the club's last five games and forming a strong midfield partnership with Scott Parker.

Now the 29-year-old hopes to help the Hammers achieve secure a seventh-place finish and earn a permanent transfer to Upton Park at the end of the season.

"The manager said ahead of the Blackburn game that if we would make 12 points out of the remaining eight games, we might be in the UEFA Cup. It will be difficult, but if we can do that, it will have been great," Kovac said.

"When I spoke with the club's chief executive, he told me that they would be willing to have me stay, but the clause is not the most convenient one so I hope we will come to an agreement somehow in the summer.