Gold eyes Green

David Gold has admitted that one of his key priorities now a return to the Premier League has been achieved is to retain the services of England goalkeeper Robert Green.

Gold, talking to the BBC following yesterday's historic 2-1 win over Blackpool confirmed that Green - who is out of contract this summer - was certain to leave had West Ham not been promoted, but now hopes that the England goalkeeper will have a change of heart with United back in the top flight.

"I am confident that we can keep Robert," said Gold. "He is a world-class goalkeeper and his salary would be commensurate with that, but now that we are in the Premier League we can sit down with him.

"There was no way we could keep him in the Championship in the second year after relegation by paying him his value. But negotiations will start straight away."

The 32-year-old Green, who was signed by Alan Pardew for £2million from Norwich City six years ago has now made 241 appearances for West Ham.