Ferdinand set to stay with Hammers

West Ham maintain they are not looking to cash in on rising star Anton Ferdinand following promotion to the Barclays Premiership.

Alan Pardew's men went on an impressive run of just one defeat in 13 games en route to their victory in the play-off final in Cardiff, with Ferdinand and his central-defensive partner Elliott Ward a major factor in that achievement.

The Hammers, however, insist the 20-year-old younger brother of Manchester United and England defender Rio is not about to leave Upton Park, having been linked with a £3million switch to European champions Liverpool.

"These rumours are utter nonsense," declared West Ham legal director Scott Duxbury. "Anton has come up through the club's academy and made tremendous progress this season.

"He was a vital part of the side that won promotion, and our aim is to now build on that side and take the club forward on the pitch."

Ferdinand, meanwhile, cannot wait for the new season to start. "It's going to be a huge challenge in the Premier League, but the squad are really up for it and hopefully I can just pick up from where I left off at the end of last season," he told the club's official website www.whufc.co.uk.

"I always said that the more games I played the more confident I'd become, and that's how it was at the end of the season.

"I'm thankful to the gaffer, Alan Pardew, for keeping faith in me and now I'm just looking forward to next season."

West Ham are understood to be closing in on the signature of former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

The Northern Ireland international would be available on a free transfer after he opted to walk away from Old Trafford when his contract ran out at the end of last season.