James questions Defoe's timing

The England Under-21 striker handed in his request to leave Upton Park just hours after the club were relegated to the First Division.

"Everyone knows the club will have to make changes to cope with our reduced circumstances," James told the Times newspaper.

"But the right thing to do is let the club work out where it stands first.

"I can only hope that Jermain Defoe was acting on the advice of someone else when he submitted a written transfer request on Monday.

"We have not even been relegated for 48 hours, so I do not think it is helpful, even if he thinks it is best for his career."