Connolly heads for Hammers

West Ham are poised to sign Wimbledon striker David Connolly within the next 24 hours - a move that will allow them to sell one of their big-name attacking stars.

Frederic Kanoute, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe have all attracted Premiership admirers and would generate the kind of transfer fee necessary to help West Ham compensate for last season's relegation.

Glen Johnson has already been sold to Chelsea for £ 6million and further departures are almost inevitable as West Ham trim their wage bill.

Willesden-born Connolly was due to have a medical this afternoon at Upton Park. He was given his chance at Watford in 1995 by West Ham manager Glenn Roeder, who spent three years in charge at Vicarage Road.

The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international spent the same length of time there and then played for Dutch sides Feyenoord and Excelsior, and Wolves, before joining Wimbledon in 2001.

He scored 24 goals in 28 league games last season and was the club's leading scorer.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick wants to stay at West Ham and believes the club can win promotion straight back into the Premiership. The midfielder has been struggling with injuries but played the final 30 minutes last night as his side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers.