West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce hunting for defensive cover in market

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has revealed that he is hoping to sign a new defender before the transfer deadline on September 1.

The Premier League outfit were linked with a number of attacking options, including Sunderland forward Connor Wickham, but were able to add Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho to their ranks.

Now, Allardyce has claimed that the club are turning their attention to defensive options before the transfer window closes in 11 days' time.

"There's no search for any more strikers from my point of view, the difficulty is at the other end," Allardyce told reporters at this morning's press conference.

"We're without James Collins because of suspension and we could be without James Tomkins because of injury. We're looking at players who are able to play in that position throughout Europe."

The Hammers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their opening Premier League match last weekend.