Stuart Pearce's long and distinguished career may be over after he suffered a broken leg for the second time in six months at Upton Park last night.
The injury overshadowed a spirited West Ham performance in which goals from Paulo Wanchope and man-of-the-match Trevor Sinclair lifted them into sixth place in the Premiership.
Pearce (37), injured the left leg he broke against Watford in September when he made a brave block on Southampton striker Kevin Davies and hobbled off after nine minutes.
He learnt the shattering news when the leg was X-rayed on the club's mobile scanner in the medical room.
Pearce defied the odds when he made a rapid recovery last time - but now he will find it very difficult to battle back a second time from the same injury.
One bright note for the Hammers was that victory lifted them five places in the table, thanks to fine goals from Wanchope (18 minutes) and Sinclair (48).
Another plus for manager Harry Redknapp was the return of star striker Paolo Di Canio, back after a hamstring injury.
West Ham: Forrest, S Pearce (Minto 9), Stimac, Ferdinand, Lomas, Lampard, Moncur, Foe, Cole (Di Canio 73), Sinclair, Wanchope. Subs Not Used: Feuer, Kitson, Keller. Goals: Wanchope 18, Sinclair 48.
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Marsden, Lundekvam, Oakley, Davies, Benali, Pahars, Bridge, Tessem, Kachloul (Soltvedt 66). Subs Not Used: Moss, M Hughes, Rodrigues, Monk. Booked: Davies.
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).
