Allardyce frustrated by slow search

Sam Allardyce is finding it tricky to bring in the defensive reinforcements he believes West Ham need this month.

The Hammers manager has made no secret of his desire to bring in new defensive players due to the toll injuries have taken on his side. Allardyce is looking abroad in search of a short-term solution, with the quota of domestic loans taken up by Marouane Chamakh and Andy Carroll.

Moves for Dnipro's Samuel Inkoom and Nancy defender Massadio Haidara have been ruled out, with Allardyce revealing a permanent addition is only likely if a player was in the last six months of their contract. "We're not making as good progress as I would have liked," the West Ham boss said. "It has been hugely frustrating."

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