West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is understood to be keen on bringing Anton Ferdinand back to the club in January which could pave the way for Matthew Upson's exit from Upton Park.

Ferdinand, 24, left the Hammers to join Sunderland in an £8million deal in 2008, but has failed to settle in the North East and is known to be hankering for a return to the capital.

The centre-back has slipped behind Michael Turner, John Mensah and Paulo da Silva in the pecking order at the Stadium of Light and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is thought to be willing to listen to offers in the New Year.

His stock remains high however, with Tottenham and Fulham aslo mooted as potential suitors, but the Hammers are believed to be in pole position and could land him for less than half what they originally sold him for.

The cash strapped East London outfit would then be in a position to cash in on Upson, one of their prized assets, for a fee in the region of £8million which would appeal to Tottenham, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 30-year-old England international recently played down talk of leaving the Hammers, but with the club in financial meltdown he may well be jettisoned regardless with Ferdinand his ready made replacement.

Watch this space...