McCartney eyes Hammers stay
George McCartney is hoping to help West Ham back into the Premier League and earn himself a permanent switch to Upton Park.
The 30-year-old is currently taking in a season-long loan with the Hammers, with Sunderland having deemed him to be surplus to requirements.
The experienced full-back is taking in his second spell with the capital outfit, having previously joined the club from Sunderland in 2006 before returning to Wearside two years later.
Saturday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace saw him make his 100th appearance for the club and he admits to thoroughly enjoying his time with the Championship promotion hopefuls.
McCartney is now looking to help West Ham over the line and convince Sam Allardyce that he is worthy of a full-time deal.
Opportunity
"When I left the last time, I didn't expect to get the opportunity to come back to a club like West Ham," he told London24.
"Thankfully the manager and the chairman gave me that chance and I am grateful to them.
"If there is promotion then I am sure that the chairman and the manager will be looking to bring in quite a few new players. I have got a year left at Sunderland and hopefully I can sort it out.
"If West Ham are back in the Premier League and willing to talk about giving me a contract, I will be more than happy to stay down here."
team talk
Nolan straight back in the team
Sam Allardyce is ready to welcome Kevin Nolan back into his West Ham side, despite the team's performances without their captain.
West Ham have played the best part of four matches without £4million midfielder Nolan after he was sent off in the ninth minute against Millwall earlier this month and subsequently hit with a three-game ban.
Yet the Hammers went on to beat Millwall, then drew with Southampton and thumped Blackpool 4-1 - both after having players sent off - before a tiring side were held 0-0 by Crystal Palace on Saturday.
"To have come through three games with 10 men, and the fourth with 11, and be undefeated is miraculous, double-underlined in capitals," said Upton Park boss Allardyce.
"On the process of what we have coming, whether Kevin is in the team for the next game or very shortly, it won't be long. Because one thing I learned Saturday is to get back to rotation.
"I felt very loyal to the lads at Blackpool and it was my mistake for doing that. On reflection - and I can't always get everything right - maybe two or three changes should have been at the start and perhaps I should have disappointed two or three players."
German striker Lukas Podolski is close to joining Arsenal from Cologne. The 26-year-old has apparently already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, although the two clubs are yet to agree a fee.
Cologne striker Luka Podolski
Lukas Podolski could be on his way to Arsenal
Bild (in German)
Napoli have issued a "hands-off" warning to Manchester City and Chelsea over their pursuit of Ezequiel Lavezzi. The striker has impressed for the Serie A club but president Aurelio De Laurentiis says the club will ignore any offers.
talkSPORT
Asamoah Gyan is a wanted man in the Middle East. Al-Ain, the club where the striker is currently on loan, want to make the move permanent while at least one other United Arab Emirates-based side are interested in the Sunderland star.
Evening Chronicle
Spanish giants Barcelona are interested in Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The 16-year-old caught the eye of the Spaniards when he scored for England schoolboys against Wales last year.
Daily Mirror
Chelsea boss Andre Villa-Boas is hoping to lure Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder to Stamford Bridge this summer as he bids to add more creativity to his Blues midfield.
Caught Offside
Manchester United are the latest Premier League side to be watching Torino's attacking midfielder Alen Stevanovic. Scouts from the Premier League's top six clubs were at a recent match to see the 21-year-old in action.
Daily Mail
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea have been put on alert after reports that ex-Blues boss Jose Mourinho is returning to London.
Daily Mirror
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is demanding £6m-a-year to stay at Chelsea after talks over a new deal at Stamford Bridge stalled.
: Daily Mail
Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley is set for a quick return to action after scans revealed no serious damage to his ankle.
Manchester Evening News
Tottenham youngster Adam Smith could make his debut against Manchester United at the weekend after being recalled from his loan spell at Leeds. The defender could come in for Kyle Walker, who was forced to pull out of the England squad for the friendly with Holland.
talkSPORT
Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has dubbed the next month as "March Madness" because he believes that could be the spell that decides their Premier League fate.
The Bolton News
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy could call time on his Wales career after leading his country in the Gary Speed memorial match against Costa Rica.
Daily Telegraph
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli could be set to star on the small screen after striking up an unlikely friendship with 'The Only Way is Essex' star Mario Falcone.
Kev comeback
KEVIN DAVIES is set to boost Bolton's relegation fight by returning from injury to face Manchester City on Saturday.
The striker has missed the last two games with a knee ligament problem.
Cisse is a miss
NEWCASTLE striker Papiss Cisse has pulled out of Senegal's friendly with South Africa today because of a groin injury.
Europa League
MANCHESTER UNITED want UEFA to force Athletic Bilbao to reduce their prices for next month's Europa League tie.
United should get about 2,000 tickets for the last-16 second leg on March 15.
But Red Devils fans are being asked to pay a whopping £77.50 for a ticket by the Spanish outfit — a massive hike on earlier Europa League games.
Premier League
KEITH ANDREWS is set to open talks for a longer stay at West Brom.
The Irish midfielder, 31, joined Albion on a six-month free after falling out with Blackburn.
Andrews, who has hit two goals in as many games, said: "There's a real togetherness around this place.
"I'd love to stay here. I'm sure there'll be conversations over the next few months."
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