Hammers solve a big problem

West Ham are planning to blood Reece Oxford next season after an initial Championship loan deal after the club reinforced its central defensive situation.

Following Winston Reid’s decision to sign a new deal, the club will also offer James Collins a new deal following the new contract agreed with James Tomkins.

And they will also allow Doniel Henry to go out on loan – probably to Blackburn – once he is fully recovered from injury with the player being seen as a massive future prospect.

The club has cooled on Basel defender Fabian Scher who was believed to be a target at around £9 million.

However, ClaretandHugh was told at the start of that piece of speculation there was little more than a 10 per cent chance of the Swiss international joining the club and that he was just one of several defenders they were looking at.

All of that preceded the Reid decision to commit to a new six year deal in the east end and earlier yesterday we were told: “We are now looking at the right back and central striking position.

“Winston’s decision to sign saved the club a big problem in that area and we can look to strengthen elsewhere. We’re looking decent in that position”