West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has set his sights on bringing Carlos Tevez back to Upton Park despite his club's failed attempt to sign the troubled striker on loan this week.
Tevez has been suspended by Manchester City after boss Roberto Mancini claimed the Argentina forward refused to come on as a substitute during Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The former Manchester United star has flown back to Argentina while City carry out an investigation into the incident and his future at the club looks uncertain.
Tevez, who had already failed to engineer a move away from Eastlands before the transfer deadline, spent the 2006-07 season at West Ham and saved the club from relegation with some inspirational performances before joining United.
After watching John Carew's late equaliser preserve West Ham's unbeaten away record as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, Allardyce admitted he wouldn't be against the idea of re-signing Tevez.
His club have already had one approach for Tevez turned down this week and Allardyce would love to see the Hammers make another move.
"If he would like to join us and the chairman would like to pay for him then yes, why wouldn't you want a top-class player like that?" Allardyce said.
"I've worked with some world-class players in my time, they win you games when you least expect it.
"With a goal record like his why wouldn't you want him? I've had worse than him. I've had some bad ones in my time. Just keep playing him, that's the answer."
Southampton have made their best start to a season for 52 years after maintaining their position on top of the Championship with a 4-0 win over Watford.
Rickie Lambert scored two penalties and strikes from Guly Do Prado and Lee Holmes ensured Nigel Adkins' side, who still have a 100 percent home record, moved two points clear at the top.
Tony Mowbray insists second placed Middlesbrough have the firepower to stay in the promotion race after his side extended their unbeaten run with a 0-0 draw at Reading.
"We had the chances to win but they just didn't go in," Mowbray said after Middesbrough's third successive goalless draw.
"We are now averaging two points a game and with that we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
"We are not head and shoulders above other teams but to supporters who say we are not scoring enough goals I say just look at the table."
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell hailed Michael Chopra after the striker's double inspired a 3-1 win over Brighton at Portman Road.
"'Chops' is a clever player with a great touch and great awareness and he doesn't hide," Jewell said.
Nick Barmby scored his first goal of the season to extend Hull's unbeaten run to six matches as the Tigers beat Cardiff 2-1 at the KC Stadium.
Elsewhere, Bristol City boss Keith Millen insisted he will fight on after seeing his side hammered 5-0 by Blackpool.
City are bottom of the table and Millen said: "My position is out of my hands, and it's not my decision, but I will continue to fight on."
Millwall are second bottom after a 1-0 home defeat against Burnley, while Coventry are also in the relegation zone following a 2-0 loss at Barnsley.
Leeds secured a 1-0 win over Portsmouth and Doncaster's revival under Dean Saunders continues as they beat Peterborough 2-1.
Source: AFP
Source: AFP