Irons players put Defoe pressure on Slav

Slaven Bilic may be preparing to push the Hammers board all the way in an attempt to bring Jermain Defoe back to the club.

Bilic revealed yesterday that he has a few midfielders telling him the former Hammers striker’s movement is the best they have played with.

And their urgings at this stage of the season that the 34 year old is an ideal player to sign could ensure that the manager piles the pressure on the board.

As ClaretandHugh has reported, Defoe has a contract which allows him to walk away on a free should Sunderland be relegated.

But he would also love a Hammers return and this may be his last chance as the club will be looking longer term in the summer.

Should the Irons board make a serious push for the player, then Sunderland look set for a difficult January as other clubs are also looking in Defoe’s direction.

However, there is little doubt that the prolific former England international would be ready to snub them in order to return to the club which set him on the road to greatness.

Sunderland boss David Moyes said: “I have not heard one word from any club regarding interest in any of my players. “I would expect I would have heard something and I have not. As far as I am concerned it is not the case.”

However, it is not necessarily the case that he would have been alerted to talks as any conversations going on would almost certainly have been held between agents at this stage.