Berger as key influences in his decision. He made his debut for the club in a fourth round League Cup match against South Coast Derby rivals Southampton on 3 December, a 2–0 loss, and made his league debut for the club in a 0–0 draw with Middlesbrough three days later. Having fallen behind Hislop and Harald Wapenaar in the selection, Srníček joined West Ham United in the First Division on a one-month loan deal on 19 February 2004. After making his debut against rivals Millwall as a substitute for Matthew Etherington on 21 March 2004 in a 4–1 defeat, known as the "Mothers' Day Massacre", at The Den, following the sending-off of first-choice goalkeeper, Stephen Bywater, Srníček moved to West Ham on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the season. He started two matches in Bywater's absence, against Derby and Crystal Palace, but the team took just one point from the two games. He played no further games for West Ham and left the club at the end of the season. Portugal Srníček spent the summer of 2004 trialling with Coventry City and later training with Opava. He subsequently headed to Portuguese club S.C. Beira-Mar, for whom he made his debut in September. Beira-Mar finished last in the league and were relegated at the end of the 2004–05 season. Second spell at Newcastle Srníček made a return to Newcastle on 29 September 2006, signing a short-term deal until the end of the year as cover for the injured Shay Given. He returned to the pitch on 23 December, when Newcastle defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3–1. He was brought on for Given, who had pulled his groin in the 87th minute, and received a tremendous reception from the Newcastle crowd as he came on. He featured in Newcastle's match against Bolton Wanderers three days later, making his first start for the club since October 1997. Having made two appearances for Newcastle during his initial three-month period, his contract was extended until the end of the 2006–07 season. He was released by Newcastle in May 2007, having played no further games for the club. International career Srníček went to Euro 1996, but was reserve goalkeeper behind Petr Kouba. Following the tournament, he played 15 consecutive matches for his native Czech Republic, establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper. He was first choice at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which the