Sam Allardyce to go shopping as injury woes mount up

John Carew and Winston Reid became the latest players to be sidelined as the Hammers were booed off after being held to a goalless draw by Bristol City last night.

First, striker Carew dropped out with a knee injury and then, after just five minutes, defender Reid dislocated a shoulder. The New Zealand international could be out for up to five weeks and Allardyce is desperate to sign a replacement before November 25, when the emergency loan window shuts for Football League clubs.

He said: "It means another search in the loan market for a quality player. We're looking forward to the international break after this weekend but, in the meantime, what we have to do is come away from Hull with points.

"I think we'll win that one and then look in the two-week break to resolve some of our injury problems and - if possible - add to the squad with a loan player."

West Ham endured a frustrating night at Upton Park as they were held by lowly Bristol City and some of the fans in the 27,980 crowd made their feelings known when they booed the team off at the end.

Allardyce said: "The reaction was harsh. It's what fans can do if they feel we haven't won a game we should have done. They can be disappointed with the result but they can't be disappointed in the performance.

"There are times when you're not going to get what you deserve and tonight was one of those. I couldn't have asked any more from the players in terms of trying to break down what was a very stubborn back line. We did it magnificently in terms of creating chances but we couldn't put the ball in the net.

"We've been going through our most difficult time of the season because of our injury problems. Despite that, we've produced seven points out of nine. If you have 19 attempts on goal and 10 on target you would ultimately expect to win the game."

Striker Sam Baldock, who scored two goals in the 3-2 win over Leicester, was substituted in the second half and Allardyce said: "Sam wasn't at it. It was a frustrating night for him and we had Carlton Cole, who had just come back from injury, to try and change things around."

The Hammers remain second in the table, five points behind Southampton who beat 10-man Peterborough 2-1 at home.