1 Jack Colback in action for Sunderland

West Ham are hoping to beat Everton and Newcastle in the race to sign Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback.

The 24-year-old is out of contract with the north east club next month and although Gus Poyet would like to keep him at the Stadium of Light, he looks set to leave during the summer.

Sam Allardyce is hoping he will be given the chance to strengthen the Hammers squad over the next few months and is believed to have identified Colback as one of his major targets.

But he will have to act fast if he wants to sign the talented midfielder as up to 11 clubs are believed to be chasing his signature.

Everton and Newcastle are said to be among the front runners but West Ham hope the attraction of playing in London and a move to the Olympic Stadium will work in their favour.

Poyet knows he faces a difficult task in persuading Colback and his other out of contract players including Phil Bardsley to stay at the club.

He said: “We have some players who we hope will be here – we have talked to them all.

“Now it will be a case of everyone considering their options. They are bound to have options, we have options and we just see how it goes.”