Hammers talk to buyers
West Ham are believed to have held talks with more than five potential new owners ahead of a crucial court date in Iceland on Friday when the club's holding company, Hansa, could be put into insolvency.
Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson will ask for a three-month extension while he prepares a series of reports about how he plans to restructure his companies.
Gudmundsson will argue that the value of Hansa's assets - of which West Ham are a key component - is above the claims of the creditors. No decision is expected from the court until next week and club sources insist any ruling will not affect the sale although negotiations with interested parties are believed to have been stepped up in recent weeks.
While Gudmundsson has been hit by the economic downturn, the Hammers' fortunes on the pitch look healthy ahead of the trip to Wigan tonight.
Mark Noble should come back into Gianfranco Zola's team, who are eyeing a place in Europe next season, to replace the injured Valon Behrami.
The midfielder looks certain to miss the rest of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage in the 1-0 win over Manchester City last weekend.
