No midfield signings needed says Allardyce amid Dorrans speculation

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans will not be heading to the Boleyn Ground after Irons boss Sam Allardyce rejected reports he is preparing a bid.

Speaking after last night's 2-1 friendly win over Colchester, Allardyce said: "We have no interest in Graham Dorrans."

"He is a midfield player and you saw how many midfielders we had out there tonight."

The Hammers lost a versatile midfielder in May after Gary O'Neil opted to reject a new deal at Upton Park but with the emergence of youngster Ravel Morrison and a rapidly healing relationship between Allardyce and Alou Diarra after a bust-up between the pair last season which saw the Frenchman move on loan to Rennes in January, the club seemingly have no need to strengthen their midfield ranks.

Irons in cut price move for Albion's Dorrans

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Ham are set to renew their long-term interest in West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans, according to the Sun this morning.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is desperate to sign a central midfielder following Gary O'Neil's departure last month and has been linked for moves for Inter Milan's Zdravko Kuzmanovic and free agent Orlando Engelaar, who is currently on trial at the club.

However, Scotland international Dorrans is unwanted by the Hawthorns club and could be available for as little as £3m, which would represent an attractive deal for the Irons who are keen to sign players on the cheap after a £16m outlay on England striker Andy Carroll.

Allardyce is thought also to want to sign a strike partner for Carroll and a back up centre forward, with question marks still hanging over the former Liverpool man's fitness as he battles to recover fro a heel injury.