Hammers target Poom

With James having departed for Manchester City, West Ham are lacking options in goal.

Reserve keeper Stephen Bywater is standing by to take over as first choice while Hammers boss Alan Pardew weighs up his options.

Pardew is thought to have drawn up a three-man shortlist with Poom his top target and he is ready to test Sunderland's resolve to hang onto the Estonian with a £2 million bid.

Should he fail to prise away Poom, Pardew is considering a move for Sunderland's number two keeper Thomas Myhre, who is currently on loan at Crystal Palace.

Myhre would be a cheaper alternative to Poom and Sunderland could be willing to let the Norwegian go.

The Scandinavian custodian was surprised with the Upton Park link but he did not see such a move as a negative option.

"This is totally new for me, but anyhow, it is not negative if Poom or I end up in West Ham," Myhre told VG.

Pardew is also keeping tabs on Millwall's Tony Warner, but could face competition from Wolves and Southampton for the former Liverpool custodian.