Hammers eye Hutchison swoop

Don Hutchison could be facing a tug of war

Sunderland are planning to offer Don Hutchison a new contract to ensure the midfielder is not tempted by a return to West Ham.

The former Hammers star is wanted back at Upton Park by new boss Glenn Roeder, who is keen to fill the gap left by Frank Lampard.

  Hutchison's clubs

Hartlepool 1990

Liverpool 1990 - 1994

West Ham 1994 - 1996

Sheff Utd 1996 - 1998

Everton 1998 - 2000

Sunderland 2000 -

But Sunderland boss Peter Reid is determined to hold on to last season's player of the year, who cost £2.5m from Everton 12 months ago.

Hutchison has settled quickly at Sunderland and is happy in the north east, though his wife, Denise, is said to be keen on a return to London.

Scottish international Hutchison had a two-year spell at Upton Park following a £1.5m move from Liverpool.

He left West Ham to join Everton but moved to the Stadium of Light last summer after his request for a vastly-improved pay deal fell on deaf ears.

Reid was quick to move for the player and is likely to be just as keen to tie him down to an improved deal now.

The player himself recently indicated he wanted to sign a deal keeping him at Sunderland for the rest of his career.