West Ham United are pressing ahead with a bid for Reading left-back Nicky Shorey.

The Sun says Reading have rejected a £5 million offer but the Hammers will not give up. And boss Alan Curbishley is confident Shorey will be lining up for him at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday after the transfer window shuts.

Curbishley has tracked Shorey for weeks but made his move yesterday morning in the wake of last Saturday's disappointing home draw with Wigan.

West Ham's firm offer is the first concrete bid for Shorey from any top-flight club although Newcastle are also interested.