West Ham United are expected to submit a bid to move into the Olympic Stadium following the 2012 Games. It looks set to become mired in a flurry of legal challenges after Leyton Orient’s chairman, Barry Hearn, lodged an application for a judicial review against the government, the mayor of London and Newham council.

Thomas Hitzlsperger has said that he is confident of West Ham United’s survival after they enjoyed an impressive win over Liverpool.

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has said that he is worried about their capacity to fill the Olympic stadium. West Ham are already in a battle against the drop and, with their move to Stratford still three years away, the Irons had to prove their Olympic project is sustainable.

Sullivan told The People: “We’ve had to convince accountants that we can survive forever in the Championship. But I still think we can get 40,000 attendances in that league.”

Hammers also plan to cover the athletics track with synthetic turf – introducing temporary seating behind the goals.

West Ham United have signed Senegal striker Demba Ba on a new contract till 2014. The 25-year-old joins the Hammers from Hoffenheim after he announced on his website earlier this week that he would be joining on a six-month loan.

Ba has scored six times for the Bundesliga club this season and has 40 goals in 103 appearances overall.

“It was a long story but now I’m happy because it had a really good end and I am glad to be here,” he said.

West Ham United manager Avram Grant has said that he wants to maintain the focus for this team despite the recent good form. The Hammers, who host the Blues in Tuesday’s first leg at 1945 GMT live on BBC Two, have been linked with a move for ex-Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce.

Grant said: “I have answered about this a thousand times. We are here because of a semi-final, a big game.

“My position is clear. I am the manager and will do my best for the club.”

Avram grant has said that he is looking to sign more players to strengthen the team. Grant saw his side miss a chance to move out of the Premier League bottom three as they drew 1-1 with Everton

The Hammers boss is keen to add more midfield power, with Steve Sidwell set to arrive from Aston Villa.

“We didn’t have a midfield player on the bench and it doesn’t make it easy to work with,” said Grant

West Ham have been linked with bids for Louis Saha and Tom Huddlestone in the January transfer window.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that the club are not looking to sell Joey Barton. West Ham have targeted a move for midfield dynamo Barton when the transfer window reopens next month.

Newcastle are thought to have rejected West Ham’s opening gambit, but the Hammers are believed to be ready to come back with an improved offer for the former Manchester City man.

Pardew has been impressed by Barton this season and he revealed he plans to hold talks with the midfielder over his future.

Avram Grant has been the granted vote of confidence by the West Ham United board. His motive for lingering at the edge of the technical area may have been to pass on instructions, but its effect was to make him a sitting duck for the away section at the Anfield Road end.

They opened fire with ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ and, as Liverpool cruised into a 3-0 lead inside 38 minutes, followed up with ‘It’s just like watching Brazil’ and ‘Ole’ at any semblance of a passing move.