Football: Hammers line up George

GEORGE Graham will return to football management at West Ham unless Glenn Roeder can revive the club's fortunes.

With the Hammers rooted to the bottom and making their worst top flight start for 40 years, Roeder, who saw his team held to a 0-0 by Manchester City yesterday, has just three games to turn it round.

The club is standing by him for the time being but has already started to make contingency plans with Graham sounded out about taking over Upton Park if the position does becomes vacant.

Graham (right) has been out of work for the past 16 months after being dismissed by North London giants Tottenham, but is desperate to return.

Sunderland have also considered him as one of the candidates to replace Peter Reid, but Graham is settled in London and would prefer to stay in the capital.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.