Kevin Nolan wants Joey Barton to join him at Hammers
KEVIN NOLAN wants his close pal Joey Barton to join West Ham.
The Upton Park skipper opted to quit Newcastle so he could drop into the Championship and believes Barton should also swap Tyneside for East London.
With speculation rife about the long-term future of Scott Parker, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to line up a big-name replacement.
And Nolan feels Barton could be just the man.
He said: "I came here so can't see why Joey wouldn't. It's a massive club. He's probably looking for an escape.
"He knows Sam and I are here and what we're about. I'll look after him, he'll look after me."
Max Gradel is set to snub West Ham, who want to sign the Leeds striker. Allardyce has had a £2million bid rejected - but Gradel said: "If I keep playing well, I'll end up somewhere better."
the current bun
Lucas Neill signs for United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira
FORMER Blackburn and West Ham defender Lucas Neill has joined reigning UAE champions Al Jazira.
The full-back, 33, played for Turkish side Galatasaray last season, having previously also represented Everton and Millwall in England.
The Australia captain said: "As you've probably read, I've joined Al Jazira in the UAE for the next season.
"I'm really excited for the challenge and looking forward to setting up my new home in Abu Dhabi!
"It's exciting to be moving to one of the strongest teams in Asia.
"Al Jazira won the league comfortably last season, and now I get to help them defend the title and hopefully make an impression in the Asian Champions League.
"This decision is the first part of my three-year plan which will hopefully take me to at least the next World Cup."
the mirror
EXCLUSIVE: Nolan wants Barton reunion at West Ham
Kevin Nolan has urged his friend Joey Barton to join him at West Ham.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is poised to move for the Newcastle midfielder, should the Upton Park side get an offer that meets their £8million valuation of midfield talisman Scott Parker.
Nolan - who Newcastle sold to West Ham in June - insists Barton would be more appreciated in east London than he currently is at St James' Park.
Barton has a year left on his contract, and has been told he can leave the club on a free transfer.
"Would Joey Barton come here? Well, I came here, so I can't see why Joey Barton would not come," said Nolan.
"It is a massive club.
"The way he has been treated over the last couple of years, he is probably looking for an escape.
"He knows I'm here, he knows Sam [who signed Barton for Newcastle in June 2007] is here and what we are about - I can look after him and he can look after me!"
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admitted last month that skipper Nolan was sold because the club did not believe the 29-year-old had another five years in him at the top level.
Barton and Nolan formed the engine room of the Newcastle side that gained promotion from the Championship two seasons ago.
Nolan added: "It would definitely be good for me. Joey is a great player to play alongside and he is a winner.
"He tells it straight, as people know, but deep down he is a lovely lad and I get on really well with him.
"He would be a great acquisition to the squad if we got him here.
"I'm sure the West Ham fans would love him and the players would come to love him. They [will have] read a lot of things about him - some of them are true, but others are blown out of proportion.
"With Joey, you have got someone [who] when he puts on the shirt, he genuinely wants to win, and he wants to do the best for the club and the players."
the mirror
Burnley are set to swoop for West Ham’s Junior Stanislas as boss Eddie Howe looks to boost his injury-hit attacking options.
Howe, who has seen Danny Ings and Martin Paterson crocked, is keen to wrap a deal for the 21-year-old forward this week.
the mirror
Olympic Stadium decision investigation completed
A report on whether the Olympic Park Legacy Company's procedures surrounding the stadium bid could have been compromised has been completed.
The OPLC, who chose West Ham as the first choice to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games, appointed auditors Moore Stephens to investigate their own internal stadium procedures six weeks ago.
It will be discussed at an OPLC board meeting later today.
An OPLC spokesman could not comment on the results of the investigation.
It was triggered when Dionne Knight, the OPLC's corporate services director, was suspended after having worked as a consultant for West Ham during the bid to move into the £486million stadium.
She was immediately suspended on full pay while any possible conflict of interest was investigated.
She had declared a personal relationship with Ian Tompkins, a West Ham director, when she started at the OPLC. She only told the legacy company of her work at the club after a Sunday newspaper claimed she was on West Ham's payroll.
Tottenham have been looking at a legal challenge over the stadium decision.
Moore Stephens have not been asked to consider the bidding process, which is a matter for a judicial review if one is granted this week.
They are also not involved in upholding any decision to recommend West Ham and Newham Council as preferred bidder - this is a matter for the OPLC board who are meeting this afternoon.
West Ham, in a joint bid with Newham Council that was picked ahead of London rivals Tottenham, plan to retain the running track after moving into the stadium.
They intend to convert the 80,000-seater venue into a 60,000-capacity arena for football, athletics, concerts and community use.
The club plan to move from their current Upton Park home in 2014-15.
Newham Council have arranged £40million to convert the stadium after 2012.
the star
WEST HAM HAND TRIAL TO BILAL
WEST HAM have handed a trial to Lens midfielder Hamdi Bilal, 20.
the star
BURNLEY WANT WEST HAM JUNIOR STANISLAS
BURNLEY want West Ham’s Junior Stanislas, 21, to boost their attacking options after new signing Danny Ings, 19, was ruled out for five months – with Martin Paterson, 24, already on the sidelines.
the mail
Great Scott! West Ham reject City's player-swap offer for Parker
Manchester City have made an enquiry for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker but the proposal has been rejected because it is said to have involved players including Wayne Bridge and Shaun Wright-Phillips rather than cash.
shame would have been a great deal for us...
the mail
Max-ed out! Gradel hints at exit as clubs line up to sign Leeds striker
Leeds' wantaway forward Max Gradel has confirmed Fulham are rivalling West Ham and Leicester for his signature.
Gradel, 23, said: 'Are Fulham interested in buying me? Yes. I know West Ham are interested in buying me, too.'
West Ham are close to signing Nice winger Eric Mouloungui, 27, for £2.5m and have taken Lens striker Hamdi Billal on trial for 10 days. The 19-year-old said: 'Hopefully I can earn a contract.'
the express
JOHN CAREW: WE NEED SCOTT PARKER AND CARLTON COLE
JOHN CAREW has told West Ham they need to keep Scott Parker and Carlton Cole if they want to return to the Premier League.
Both players have been the subject of moves back to the top flight, with QPR and Fulham both interested.
bbc sport
MK Dons striker Sam Baldock in dark on West Ham link
Sam Baldock Baldock almost joined Peterborough for £1.2m in the summer
MK Dons striker Sam Baldock has said reports linking him with a move to Championship side West Ham are nothing more than speculation.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce watched the 22-year-old net a hat-trick in Saturday's 6-2 win over Chesterfield.
But the Dons youth product has insisted he is focused on life at Stadium MK.
"It's all rumours as far as I'm concerned. Like I showed on Saturday, I'm not going to let anything affect me," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"People are always going to talk about any player but my focus was on scoring goals for this club and getting the victory.
BALDOCK FACTFILE
Born 15 March, 1989
Became first player to graduate from MK Dons youth team into the senior side
Made his league debut in February, 2007 in 1-1 draw with Mansfield
Has scored 33 goals in 102 league games, 34 of his appearances coming as a sub
"I always give 100% wherever I play my football and I've got a fond place in my heart for this club and I'm looking forward to scoring more.
"I think West Ham are a fantastic club and [Allardyce] is a phenomenal manager but it's not anything I've thought about.
"It's not something that's been mentioned to me."
Baldock came close to joining Championship new boys Peterborough for £1.2m in the summer, until the deal fell through in acrimonious circumstances.
He has since gone on to score five goals in as many games this season, lending weight to Robinson's claim earlier in August that he would be "batting off big football clubs because of his ability".
babe of the day
http://www.nuts.co.uk/images/gallery/20 ... 143__0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
one for the ladies
http://cdn1.hunkdujour.com/530/marcellas_reynolds_0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
