Southend eye move for Hammers defender

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Ham full back Jordan Spence looks set to leave the Boleyn Ground this summer, with several clubs including League Two outfit Southend interested.

The Shrimpers are said to be in pole position to sign Spence, with boss Phil Brown having watched a commanding defensive display from the right back as West Ham's U21 side thrashed Swansea U21s 4-0.

The 23 year old made his Irons debut in May 2010 but has only managed 6 competitive appearances since and manager Sam Allardyce is not thought to see the Academy graduate as part of his first team plans.

Spence has thus far taken in highly productive loan spells at Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and, most recently, Bristol City and it is thought that the Robins are considering a move for the versatile young defender after he impressed in two separate loan spells at the club before relegation from the Championship last season.

Golden Bhoy Gary to swap Hoops for Hammers?

Rumour has it this morning that Celtic striker Gary Hooper is primed to make a summer switch to the Boleyn Ground.

The former Scunthorpe star turned out alongside Hammers stars Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Matt Jarvis on the Cole XI in a memorial game for Irons academy graduate Mitchell Cole and now the powerful 25 year old is being strongly linked with a move to the Boleyn Ground, after a hugely prolific season in Scotland where the former Hereford loanee amassed 29 goals in all competitions.

West Ham's Premier League rivals Norwich made three unsuccessful bids to sign the well-travelled forward in January, and Tottenham have been linked with Hooper in the past. However, with Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas turning his attention to Athletico Madrid's Falcao, the North London side look likely to drop out of the race to prise Hooper away from Celtic Park.

Should the Hammers want to bring the Celtic hitman to East London, their main competition would likely come from newly-relegated Queens Park Rangers, with R's boss Harry Redknapp ready to splash out £6m on the striker this summer, according to the Daily Mirror.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling