AVRAM GRANT has called on West Ham's owners to back him in the January transfer market if the team is to escape the drop.

The Hammers boss admitted it would be 'great' if owners David Gold and David Sullivan handed him £10million to spend when the transfer window re-opens in the new year, as he believes the squad needs more quality if the club are to keep their heads above water.

“With £10m we can do a lot, we can make the team much more stronger, even though January is not a good transfer window,” said Grant after seeing his team slip to a 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Israeli manager has had to cope with a mounting injury list since taking over at the Boleyn Ground in the summer.

Thomas Hitzlsperger has yet to kick a ball for the Irons, while midfielders Mark Noble and Valon Behrami are also sidelined. Lars Jacobsen and Danny Gabbidon were also injured for the weekend's game, while Kieron Dyer must be carefully managed after a string of injury problems.

“We need to see this week about the injuries. There are a few players who we don’t know whether they will recover or not and it will affect our decision in January.

“But even if everybody is fit, we still need to be stronger in two or three positions.

“If the owners could give us £10m it would be great.”

Grant was busy in the summer window after arriving in east London, snapping up strikers Victor Obinna and Freddie Piquionne, midfielders Hitzlsperger and Pablo Barrera and defenders Lars Jacobsen and Winston Reid.

Grant was forced to field criticism over his signings in the wake of the City defeat. “Freddie Piquionne has scored some important goals for us, Victor Obinna has done good things. Pablo we know is a young player in his first season in England and it is not so easy.

“I think the squad when everybody is fit is a good squad.”