Pardew Picks the Pocket

West Ham have been linked with a number of right backs this week. However it seems that the Hammers won't be splashing out too much this summer. Alan Pardew has revealed that the £7.25 million acquisition of Dean Ashton will affect the club's transfer budget this summer.

Pardew says that the money spent on Aston came from this summer's transfer budget, "I don't think anyone will be surprised to know that the acquisition of Dean Ashton in January was partly funded by using some of next year's money. We haven't got a massive pot for the summer as things stand at the moment. However, we will have sufficient funds to improve the squad, and just one or two additions could make all the difference to this team."

Other News West Ham schoolboy defender Jordan Spence will sign his first full-time contract with the Hammers today. Spence is captain of the England under-16 team and can play as a central defender or midfielder. He has already made a number of appearances for the under-18 side this season.