West Ham United No2 Steve Clarke insists they didn't push James Collins out the door to Aston Villa.
Collins returns to Upton Park tonight for the first time since leaving in August.
"Circumstances dictated he had to go," Clarke said. "He left on very good terms with everybody at the club and he's desperate for us to do well, although I'm sure he'll want to beat us tonight as he's a professional.
"He's gone, we have to move on from it. I think he says himself he improved during the time myself and Gianfranco have been here. That's pleasing.
"But I hope he has a stinker tonight though, if I'm honest!"