West Ham United 1 - 0 Sheffield United

West Ham v Sheff Utd: Preview

Updated: November 24, 2006, 4:11 PM UK

West Ham boss Alan Pardew pledged he would fight to keep Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano at Upton Park.

The Argentinian duo's future appears in considerable doubt following Icelander Eggert Magnusson's #85million takeover of the club.

Tevez and Mascherano are part owned by Kia Joorabchian and were brought to the club in August by the Iranian businessman, who was involved in an unsuccessful takeover bid for the Hammers.

They have both been linked strongly with a move away from West Ham when the transfer window opens in January but Pardew does not want to see his work go to waste.

"We have put a lot of work into trying to ease the settling in process for Tevez and Mascherano,'' Pardew said.

"Hopefully we will get time - maybe for the rest of the season - to see that through.

"At some point I will meet Kia and see how our wishes fit in with his plans for the players.

"Maybe [the takeover] will be a situation that works for them. I hope they start to grow here quicker than they have done in the initial period, and I think that can happen.

"But for now the players are here to play football and they will be judged on their performances in training and in games.''

Pardew is also to lecture his players on the pitfalls of modern football following goalkeeper Roy Carroll's reported gambling problems.

Carroll, who has not played for the Hammers first team since October 14, has had a significant spell out of the game and has reportedly sought treatment for alcohol and gambling troubles.

"I will talk about it,'' Pardew said. "Gambling is something which is affecting society, not just professional footballers.

"In the light of the salaries they earn, footballers are at the forefront of this situation, especially when it comes to poker.

"But the only people who are winning under these circumstances are the companies themselves.

"I will ask my players to steer clear of this.''

Sheffield United midfielder Mikele Leigertwood believes the Blades can burst West Ham's takeover bubble.

Eggert Magnusson, the current president of the Icelandic Football Association, completed an #85million buy-out of the Hammers this week.

It is understood manager Alan Pardew will be handed a significant cash kitty come the January transfer window to ensure the Upton Park club remain in the Premiership.

West Ham are just two places and a point above Neil Warnock's side who occupy the final place in the relegation zone.

Leigertwood knows Magnusson's arrival could provide West Ham with a spark as he said: "With such a big takeover, some players may feel threatened their place is at risk.

"If it was me, it would be an incentive for me to work that little bit extra, to try and make sure I stayed, and it might be the same for the West Ham players.

"But then it could also work against them because I don't know if all the fans are in favour, so they may turn.

"They're struggling as well, and although they're a good side with good players, this change might not guarantee a good performance.

"That's not to say they won't turn it around against us. Hopefully they won't and we can keep them down around us, and then we can go and do the same to Watford.''

Warnock, though, is still without a number of key players in Danny Webber (hamstring), Michael Tonge (ankle) and Chris Armstrong (knee).

Leigh Bromby, who has been out with a hamstring strain sustained against Chelsea last month, may come into contention for a squad place as David Sommeil is out with an ankle injury.