West Ham manager Avram Grant targets three new players

25 August 2010 08:52
West Ham United are believed to be interested in Timo Hildebrand, the former Germany goalkeeper, who is a free agent after leaving Hoffenheim.[LNB]Cardiff defender Anthony Gerrard, the 24 year-old cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, is understood to be another target, while a loan deal for El-Ahly right-back Ahmed Fathy is a possibility.[LNB] Related ArticlesWest Ham 1 Oxford United 0Hartlepool 0 Wigan Athletic 3Oxford relishing return to the big timeDiamanti leaves West Ham for BresciaWest Ham 1 Bolton 3Sport on televisionKevin Gameiro, the Lorient striker, was also on Grant's list but is likely to be too expensive as West Ham juggle their books.[LNB]West Ham sold Alessandro Diamanti to Brescia for an initial £1.8m yesterday but would have to find up to £7m for Gameiro.[LNB]Grant, relieved to see his side beat Oxford in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, is still insistent that he will develop the club's youth policy.[LNB]Marek Stech, the 20-year-old Czech goalkeeper, was one of several youngsters who played against Oxford, along others to have come through the club's academy, namely Junior Stanislas, James Tomkins, Freddie Sears and Mark Noble.[LNB]"Marek is a good talent," said Grant. 'But it is not just him, we played today with five players from the Academy. I think that is unusual but we will continue to do this. We know what we want in the next seasons and we want to develop young players.'[LNB]The victory over Football league newcomers Oxford was Grant's first at the club and he added: "Mentally it is not just about the first win, it is that we did it in the last moment. [LNB]'The players were fighting against relegation last year so there is some psychology problems and we need to adapt also to the way we play football. We are developing very well. [LNB]'Of course it will take time and be step by step but the main thing is to progress."[LNB]

Source: Telegraph