Phil Parkinson has poured cold water on speculation that West Ham are ready to make a move for Colchester United teenager Greg Halford.

Target man - speculation that Greg Halford could be on West Ham's shopping list has been denied

U's boss Parkinson told the Evening Gazette: "There are so many rumours in the papers.

"But there's absolutely no foundation in the story linking Greg with West Ham."

Parkinson hinted several months ago that the only place he would be prepared to let Halford go was to a Premiership club.

Hammers boss Alan Pardew - a good friend and former Reading colleague of Parkinson's - was a spectator at Layer Road last Saturday, along with scouts from high-profile clubs Arsenal, Liverpool, Blackburn and Bolton.

Speculation is rife again, however, after a national newspaper reported that Pardew was 'eyeing' U's 19-year-old full-back Halford in a bid to beef up the east Londoner's defence.

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Published Wednesday, September 8, 2004

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