Thursday 16 October 2014 23:00, UK
Sam Allardyce has admitted Winston Reid's contract situation is a concern for everyone at West Ham as the New Zealand defender has yet to extend his deal.
The 26-year-old was named the Hammers' player of the year last season and has developed into a highly-rated defender, reportedly drawing the interests of Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.
Having moved to Upton Park from FC Midtjylland in 2008, Reid has made 100 league appearances and has become a key member of Allardyce's backline.
His current contract expires next summer and, with Reid believed to be holding out for improved terms, he has yet to pen an extension and will be able to enter negotiations with other clubs in the new year.
Allardyce, though, is keen to work on a resolution, saying: "It is not only a concern for me, but it is a concern for the owners.
"There's been talk about Winston and his contract for a pretty long period now which is obviously not my responsibility.
"But hopefully, sooner rather than later, that will come to a conclusion and a positive one. I can only hope that is going to be a positive result in the end.
"It's not that he doesn't want to stay. It's about the financial remuneration and whether they can come to the right level and right give or take or negotiation that gets us to a point where he will say, 'Yes'. That's always the hard bit today.
"If we could tie him up tomorrow then I think the owners, particularly, and myself would like that and not have it lingering. It's always a difficult negotiation."
West Ham go to Burnley on Saturday having collected their first clean sheet of the season in the 2-0 win over QPR before the international break.
Reid has been an ever-present so far this season, with a number of his defensive colleagues having already been forced to sit out some games through injury and, although his future is likely to remain in some doubt in the coming weeks, Allardyce has no qualms about keeping him in the heart of his defence.
"No, not really," Allardyce replied when asked if the contract wrangles could affect Reid's performances.
"Winston's had a long-term injury last year and sometimes it can take time to get back to what he can be.
"Certainly now that the injury has fully recovered and he's back to his defensive best, which is very important for us.
"We got our first clean sheet of the season against QPR, which gave us the platform to win that game comfortably. I believe they have to go with the mentality to repeat that against Burnley.
"Winston is on top of his game. With the back four now that's come together for the first time, we have looked pretty solid.
"With Carl (Jenkinson) playing, Aaron (Cresswell) feeling his way into the Premier League and James Tomkins and Winston. It is a new back four. If he can repeat what he did against QPR then it gives us a fantastic platform to try and go and win."
