Allardyce in need of fresh bodies with Blues striker a target

The problems for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce continue to mount following his side’s 3-0 defeat in their Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.

That result completed a 9-0 aggregate humiliation for the Hammers, who are 8/5 to suffer relegation this term, and with makeshift striker Mohamed Diame stretchered off with a knee injury late on and Joe Cole limping off in the first-half, the club’s injury curse continues to haunt them.

And having been frustrated thus far in the January transfer window, Big Sam might opt to focus his attention on an unlikely saviour – Birmingham City’s Serbian striker Nikola Zigic.

It’s been well reported that the Blues’ mercurial 6ft 7″ frontman is a massive burden on the club’s wage bill, with his weekly pay packet thought to be in excess of £60,000.

However, West Ham could be willing to help the player capped 57 times by his country plot an escape route and reduce the financial pressure on his current employers.

And with the Irons’ dire injury predicament and the fact that Carlton Cole and the returning Andy Carroll are struggling for form and fitness, the move could work out well for both parties.

Although the east London outfit would no doubt want to arrange a favourable package, West Ham’s joint chief-chairmen, David Gold and David Sullivan, would be ideal candidates to help broker a deal given their previous 17-year association with the Midlands club.

There is some positive news for Upton Park’s long-suffering fans with Ricardo Vaz Te, Guy Demel, Joey O’Brien, George McCartney and Winston Reid all close to a return to action.

Plus, with the addition of a fully-fit Zigic, an impact player who was instrumental in Birmingham’s Capital One Cup victory over Arsenal in 2011, the team would boast an alternative option capable of roughing up rival Premier League defences.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.