Hammers weigh up Owen move

Owen is on a shortlist of potential strikers to target in January, along with Everton's Yakubu and Tottenham's Robbie Keane, and with West Ham looking for a marquee signing, the 31-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is under consideration.
The former Newcastle and Liverpool striker has been restricted to only six Premier League starts since joining United in the summer of 2009 and the Hammers are concerned about his record of fitness problems.
Similarly there are concerns about the fitness of Yakubu, who the Hammers have unsuccessfully tried to sign in the past. The 28-year-old has scored one goal in 13 league games for Everton this season.
Tottenham striker Keane is very much an active target, though, as the Hammers have agreed to pay the striker's weekly salary of £65,000 if he moves to Upton Park on loan. However, negotiations have stalled with Spurs over a loan fee.
Wolves, Newcastle and Birmingham have also been linked with a loan move for Keane, even if Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists the striker will only be leaving White Hart Lane on a permanent basis.
"Robbie's name keeps coming up, but he's not for loan," Redknapp said. "If he's going to go, he wants to leave permanently, and it will have to be a good club for him because he's a top player still.
"He won't just go anywhere, because he may as well stay here and fight for his place. I still think he's got fantastic ability and enthusiasm for the game."
Redknapp hinted that Spurs were unlikely to make any signings during January - although he could be tempted if an exceptional player becomes available. "If somebody could make the difference, then we would be interested," he said.

"But it's very difficult to find - it's not a great time. Anybody who's got a top class player won't want to sell them at this stage of the season. It's very difficult to improve your squad, and we're not in a situation where we need to panic buy."