With the transfer deadline closing in just under 11 hours, West Ham are expected to be major players as they seek a quick fix for their injury jinx.  New midfield signings Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg, Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer have all been crocked, so Hammers boss Alan Pardew is believed to be lining up a move for Derby County’s teenage winger Giles Barnes.

Barnes himself has missed the start of the season with a metatarsal injury, and is yet to appear for Derby this season.  One would think that if you were looking to solve an injury crisis, signing a player who is currently injured might not be wisest idea.

But then, this is West Ham.