West Ham winger Matthew Etherington has received death threats over his £800,000 gambling debts.

The former Tottenham player was forced to ask the club for a loan after he was warned that his life would be in danger if he didn't pay off a substantial sum, according to the Daily Mail.

Worried bosses gave him a £300,000 wage advance to get him out of immediate danger on the condition he got help for his addiction.

A West Ham spokesman said they had given the 27-year-old "full support" and added: "We are working to support him through it. Matthew knows he needs professional help and accepts it is a priority in his life."

Etherington, who earns around £30,000 a week, was treated for gambling addiction in 2006 but relapsed after 18 months.

The following year he was fined £2,000 and banned from the road for a year after admitting drink-driving.

He then spent a week at Sporting Chance - a rehab clinic set up by former England and Arsenal star Tony Adams.