Relegation-threatened West Ham United want to make two January signings now the transfer window is open to turn their season around. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is targeting Everton defender Johnny Heitinga and Southampton striker Rickie Lambert to solve problems at either end of the pitch. West Ham begin the New Year second bottom of the Premier League and have a defensive crisis to contend with. Centre backs James Collins and James Tomkins have joined Winston Reid on the treatment table after picking up muscle problems over the festive period. Recording signing and target man Andy Carroll is also a long-term injury absentee. Sky Sports is reporting that Dutch defender Heitinga, 30, will sign for the Hammers this week. His deal with Everton expires in the summer and his new club will take over the remainder of that contract. Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has not played Heitinga in the Premier League at all this term. Everton's regular centre back pairing has been Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, but Antolin Alcaraz came in for the last match when Jageilka was injured. Heitinga told the media in his native Holland that he is keen to move this winter in the hope of forcing his way back into the Netherlands national squad for the World Cup in Brazil. He picked up the last of his 87 caps to date in a friendly against China in June 2013. Allardyce will also be backed by West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan to make an £8 million offer for Southampton frontman Lambert, according to the Daily Mirror. The 31-year-old England international needs regular football to press his own World Cup claims. Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino cannot guarantee Lambert to start every game as he spent big money on Italy striker Dani Osvaldo over the summer. Big Sam hopes a cash offer up front will tempt the South Coast club to sell.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
