Return of the Mc?

West Ham are still hoping to sign Sunderland's George McCartney from Sunderland ahead of the new Premier League season.

The 31-year-old full back, who originally signed for West Ham in 2006 before heading to Sunderland in a £6million deal two years later, returned to east London in August 2011 on a season-long loan deal.

The Irishman, who has proved to be a popular figure with supporters during both spells and who was also named Players' Player of the Year last season returned to Sunderland at the end of his loan spell in May.

However West Ham immediately signalled their intention to try and bring McCartney back to the club on a permanent basis - and according to co-chiarman David Gold, those plans remains very much in place.

Gold, in response to a question on Twitter this morning regarding a deal for the Irishman replied: "I hope this will happen soon."

McCartney, speaking about a potential third spell at West Ham said recently: "Of course I would like to be here next year.

"I have regrets about leaving a few years ago and I have got the opportunity to come back and things have gone really well. So hopefully in a few weeks' time when everything has settled down, we can sort something out."