Transfer Imminent

West Ham are hoping to complete the signing of Tottenham Hotspur winger Matthew Etherington soon, with Fredi Kanoute heading in the opposite direction.

Says Glenn Roeder: "We have agreed personal terms with Matt, we are close to the transfer and, when we secure his services with Fredi going the other way, we hope to continue our efforts to bring in another striker - we are in the advanced stages of doing so ahead of the Preston game.

"He is a young player I have had my eye on for a while."

The actual details of the transfer of Fredi and Etherington have yet to be made known, but MD Paul Aldridge confirms: "There will be a cash adjustment in our favour."

Adds Glenn: "I am pleased about this, and of course, I am delighted that the Rob Lee deal has also just been completed.

"He is with us for a year and he will be an invaluable member of our small squad; his ability and attitude are first class and he has integrated well.

"What is more, he has the utmost respect of his colleagues."

In the meantime, Sebastien Schemmel has been fined two weeks' wages for his outburst on Sky TV.