Hammers outcast may see change of heart

Manuel Pellegrini may be ready to give Reece Oxford a full pre-season as the defender’s uncertain future continues to cause speculation.

The player has seen a move to FC Augsburg collapse after he and his agents insisted on a relegation clause being inserted into any permanent contract offer.

He has been in a Hammers outcast since the manager’s arrival after both sides agreed a move to a new club may be his best way forward.

But yesterday he was back at Rush Green for pre-season with a first photo showing him on an exercise bike after greeting skipper Mark Noble.

There remains speculation that he could interest Slaven Bilic at West Brom but were that the case one would have imagined he would have been included in the first offer for Salaomn Rondon which involved £10 million plus Jordan Hugill and Sam Byram.

The Hammers are ready to let him leave should that be the managers decision but Pellegrini is always keen to give all players a chance of pre-season although a change of heart looks a real long shot