West Ham United have rejected a bid from Newcastle United for defender James Tomkins.

The Daily Star says Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has rejected a £2.5m bid from Newcastle for Tomkins.

But the Hammers are still facing a battle to convince the defender to sign a new contract at Upton Park.

Allardyce means to keep the 22-year old and snubbed the offer Newcastle made at the weekend.

Former Hammers boss Alan Pardew had targeted Tomkins after losing Steven Taylor for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.