Mediawatch - 24 March

Mediawatch

A Hammers star is in line for a new contract this summer, according to this morning's papers...

Winston Reid has been one of the Hammers' stand-out performers this season, and now the New Zealand defender is set to be rewarded with a new contract in the summer, this report in The Sun says.

A source is quoted as saying: “He is highly-valued by the club. We want to increase his buyout clause as well, there will be no risks taken to lose him cheap.

“He has given us so many years of good service and is respected that it’s only fair he’s one of the top earners.”

Meanwhile, Diafra Sakho is still hoping to return to first team action before the end of the season.

The Senegal international began training with the U23s this week following a back injury, and this Mirror piece says a return for the 15 April meeting with Sunderland is a possibility, should everything go well.

There's more on the story linking Jermain Defoe with a second spell at West Ham in The Sun, with Ian Wright claiming the Sunderland striker would love a move back to east London.

Yesterday's papers said the Hammers are considering a summer transfer for Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu, although the Daily Star reckon Barcelona would provide competition for his signature.

Finally, Andy Carroll might have missed out on the England squad for this set of international fixtures, but he is still dreaming of a World Cup place for next summer.

In a Mirror interview, he discusses that, and his way of relaxing away from the pitch - taking his two dogs for walks in the Essex countryside.