West Ham manager Alan Pardew is on the prowl
By Neville Nixon
February 7 2005
www.westhamfans.org Following his side's narrow victory over Cardiff, Alan Pardew confirmed that another defender is a key priority as he looks to firm up his squad for the Championship run in.

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Following his side's narrow victory over Cardiff, Alan Pardew confirmed that another defender is a key priority as he looks to firm up his squad for the Championship run in.

At the post match press conference, the much relieved Hammers manager was adopting a softly softly approach when asked about any future signings. "Yes we have our eyes o­n o­ne or two players, o­ne in particular that I am very keen o­n bringing in, we shall just have to wait and see". Just who that player might be is open to question, though, Pardew's assistant Peter Grant is well connected in Scotland and it is believed he might be able to convince o­ne or two of the more promising youngsters available from Celtic and Rangers to give it try South of the Border. * West Ham United have a long association with Celtic, with many superb players including Frank Mac Avennie, moving both ways between each club.
Other defender related rumours follow:
Alan Pardew is considering a move to sign Justin Hoyte o­n loanThe highly-rated youngster has broken into the Arsenal first team this season but will be allowed to gain some more experience with a loan switch.

Alan Pardew has dismissed reports that he is set to take Tottenham's new signing Michael Dawson o­n loan for the rest of the season."I like Michael Dawson - but I can’t have him."

Reports over the weekend claimed he may move for Dawson, who o­nly joined Tottenham o­n the last day of the transfer window from Nottingham Forest.

The Hammers did something similar when they loaned Calum Davenport from Spurs earlier in the season.

Pardew insists he has made no move for the England Under-21 international and does not expect to go for him.

"I haven't asked the question and don't think we'd get him anyway," said Pardew.

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