DAVID JAMES last night vowed to stay loyal to West Ham United - as a posse of Sunderland players waited to jump ship.

While Kevin Phillips and a handful of teammates are desperate to quit Sunderland after they were relegated, James is taking a principled stance.

The England goalkeeper has been told by Sven-Goran Eriksson that he would not be precluded from international selection if he played in the Nationwide League.

That reassurance has undoubtedly played a major role in James's decision to remain at West Ham, but his refusal to turn his back on Upton Park is in stark contrast to the attitude of many Sunderland stars.

James said: "The concept of loyalty doesn't seem to exist in football.

"The only people that seem to show any loyalty are the fans. Given any opportunity, players disappear and join other clubs.

"There might circumstances which change that, but there's a difference between me having to leave and me looking for the exit.

"We all helped West Ham go down. I played in every game; I'm part of the reason for West Ham's predicament.

"West Ham have been loyal to me, and somewhere down the line you need to repay that. I don't fear being in the First Division.

"Apart from when the fans booed me over Christmas, they've been all right to me."

Phillips and Thomas Sorensen have confirmed they are hell-bent on leaving Sunderland - even though they were members of the squad that picked up just 19 points, the worst total in Premier League history.

West Ham were relegated on 42 points, and James's impressive displays for club and country have attracted interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.

But speaking ahead of tomorrow's Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia at Middlesbrough, James said: "The best form of my career has come at West Ham. I could move to another club and not play as well.

"The environment at West Ham is good for me, and Mr Eriksson has already said First Division players won't be snubbed.

"I've got to sit down with West Ham after the Slovakia game and discuss where they're going, and things will be a bit clearer after then.

"It makes sense to stay, but if they decided to sell me that would be a different kettle of fish.

"Goalkeeping is all about reactions. You react to crosses, shots and whatever. Providing I'm in top form, it doesn't matter where I play.''

He added: "People say First Division strikers aren't top class, but the best goals in the First Division are as good as any in the Premiership.

"Of course there are going to be certain situations where the Premiership will be better than the First Division.

"But a freaky 25-yard shot into the top corner happens at all levels of football. If I'm top form, I'll save it.

"All I can do is put myself in a position to play my best football, and West Ham have given me the opportunity to be a better goalkeeper."

James admits he has blossomed since establishing himself as England's first-choice No 1 this year.

The defining moment of the 32-year-old's international career came when he made a match-winning save against Turkey in April, and he will win his 16th cap at the Riverside tomorrow.

James added: "Being in the England team has given me confidence. That coincided with West Ham's good performances, and one helped the other.

"I got a lot of confidence from starting the Australia game, even though we lost.

"If you go away as the second or third-choice goalkeeper, you can be there for a week and not do anything, which is very taxing mentally.

"But there's an end product when you're first choice; you have something to focus on."