Hammers on the hunt for fresh faces

HAMMERS boss Avram Grant says new faces will be coming to Upton Park this month, with moves underway for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell as well as the £2 million-rated Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd.

“We will try to do business because the squad is short,” the West Ham manager confirmed. “We have a lot of games and are trying to bring more good players to us.

“We know that if everybody is fit we have a good squad, but anyway, any player who can improve the squad we will take him.”

Given West Ham’s options have been depleted by injury in recent weeks, it was a welcome boost for Grant to see two more Academy graduates in his starting XI on Saturday, with James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas making an impression alongside Freddie Sears.

Meanwhile, Stephen Hunt says Robbie Keane would be a perfect fit for Wolves.

“Robbie’s a class player who would be a boost to most Premier League clubs once he gets a few games under his belt,” he said.

“He needs games but his ability is not in question. Robbie is already playing for a big club and he has so much experience, it would be a huge boost to everyone if he came here.”