West Ham Gossip

The News of the World say that West Ham are leading the chase for Everton striker Andy Johnson.

Various sources are linking West Ham, Liverpool and Sp~rs with Lazio's Swiss International Valon Behrami. Behrami's agent has said that Behrami "wants to play the Champions League" so it doesn't seem likely that he is bound for Upton Park.

In the run up to England's friendly against the USA Jonathan Spector has been praising West Ham team mate Dean Ashton,

"It was really disappointing for him to get such a serious ankle injury.

"It took him a long while to get back from it but in the last few games of the season he was in great form and it is great to see him back in the England set-up.

"He is very nearly back to his best, if not there yet. He is a great finisher - so who wouldn't want that on their team? He has great technical ability as well."