West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has dropped his pursuit of Nicolas Anelka.

French ace Anelka is available for transfer at Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

But Big Sam insists the striker will not be heading to Upton Park - as the Hammers are focused on signing up defensive reinforcements.

The West Ham boss said: "At the moment I am not in a position for Nicolas Anelka because my main priority is defenders.

"We have got Andy Carroll close to coming back and we have got Carlton Cole, Marouane Chamakh and we have also brought in Wellington Paulista."