WEST Ham continue to track Thomas Gaardsoe and may move in with a bid for Ipswich Town's central defensive stalwart.The 23-year-old former Danish Under-21 international was signed by the Blues from Aalborg by former manager George Burley in a £1million deal.

By Dave Allard

WEST Ham continue to track Thomas Gaardsoe and may move in with a bid for Ipswich Town's central defensive stalwart.

The 23-year-old former Danish Under-21 international was signed by the Blues from Aalborg by former manager George Burley in a £1million deal.

The 6ft 2in rearguard man, who has been turned into a first team regular under Burley's successor Joe Royle, was watched by Hammers' chief Glenn Roeder at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night when the Blues drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace.

Roeder's assistant, former Ipswich coach Paul Goddard, also saw Gaardsoe in the 0-0 home draw with Stoke City at Portman Road last Saturday.

On both occasions, Gaardsoe did well and a Hammers' representative was lined up to be at today's Ipswich game at Sheffield Wednesday.

An Upton Park source said: "Glenn Roeder and his coaching staff have been looking at Gaardsoe. for some time.

"The current situation at Ipswich means that they are weighing up an official move for him."

The situation in question is the fact that under administration Town are classified as a "club in distress." So, despite the transfer window being closed, they can sell players and they can be played by their new clubs this season.

With Town in their perilous financial state, they cannot expect big bids.

If the admiring Hammers did move in with an offer for Gaardsoe it remains to seen how much it would be, but it would almost certainly be under half the £1m paid for him.

At the moment Town are in voluntary administration and they, in conjunction with the administrators, can reject an offer they feel is too derisory.

If it goes into a full administration situation then any offer of any kind, for anyone, will have to be taken.