WEST HAM could turn to Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland in the January transfer window to help boost their survival hopes, according to reports.

The Metro claim the former Manchester City star is a target of Avram Grant's, with the Hammers boss already admitting he is keen to strengthen his squad in the new year.

Ireland has struggled to fit in at Villa Park under Gerard Houllier, after making the switch to the Midlands from Eastlands as part of the deal that took James Milner in the opposite direction.

Should West Ham choose to pursue Ireland, his wage demands may prove to be a stumbling block, with a loan move another option that may be explored.