HAMMERS boss Alan Pardew gets set to be linked with a host of players over the summer months as he aims to strengthen his squad, writes Laura Burkin.

But with a forthcoming season that sees the return of European football, he has spoken of how fans can look forward to seeing the current players grow in stature. Pardew said: "When you look at most of this squad it was their first time playing at this level and I think you will definitely see them grow as players over the next few years.

"That includes the likes of Nigel Reo-Coker, Anton Ferdinand, Yossi Benayoun and Dean Ashton. Most of my team will be stepping up their own games within the side.

"It was a great example against Liverpool in the FA Cup final, playing against players who already have big reputations in the game.

"Many of my players are just making an inroad on getting those kind of reputations themselves by showing what they can do and the potential they have.

"The aim is to break the monopoly of the top teams in terms of winning trophies and in the final we went very close to doing that.

"We will look to expose that more next year."