Hammers favourites to snare Sidwell

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell is reportedly set to disappoint suitors Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton by joining West Ham for £3million. The Cottagers had a bid for the former Chelsea and Reading midfielder accepted earlier this summer, but that move has now stalled due to Roy Hodgson's defection from Craven Cottage to Anfield. That has alerted a trio of other clubs, but Sidwell is keen on a move back to London so is likely to snub any advances from North-West rivals Bolton and Blackburn. As a result, West Ham - managed by Sidwell's former boss at Stamford Bridge, Avram Grant - have now emerged as the frontrunners for Sidwell, who has made just 23 league starts for Villa in his two seasons at the club.