Anzhi Makhachkala defender Christopher Samba is eyeing a quick return to English football with West Ham United - less than two months after returning to Russia.

The powerful centre-half, 29, is wanted by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who worked with the DR Congo-born defender at Blackburn Rovers.

Samba re-joined Anzhi from relegated Queens Park Rangers in a £12m deal at the beginning of July, but with the club’s owner Suleyman Kerimov keen to reduce his financial involvement, a return to the Premier League could be the on the cards.