DAVID CUFFLEY Defender Elliott Ward has become the second West Ham player to be linked with a close season move to Norwich City.A week after manager Nigel Worthington admitted his interest in Hammers left-back Clive Clarke, national newspaper reports yesterday claimed 21-year-old Ward was also a target for the Canaries.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Defender Elliott Ward has become the second West Ham player to be linked with a close season move to Norwich City.

A week after manager Nigel Worthington admitted his interest in Hammers left-back Clive Clarke, national newspaper reports yesterday claimed 21-year-old Ward was also a target for the Canaries.

The 6ft 2in centre-back, one of four footballing brothers, was limited to five first-team appearances last season but also spent a successful three-month loan period at Plymouth.

He was in the Plymouth side that drew 1-1 with the Canaries at Home Park in January and made a total of 16 appearances for the Pilgrims as they steered their way clear of relegation trouble.

Ward returned to Upton Park but missed out on a place in the Hammers' FA Cup final squad with Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins providing tough competition for places in the centre of defence.

Hertfordshire-born Ward, who signed a four-year contract with West Ham at the start of last season, made his debut for their reserve team as a 15-year-old schoolboy in the 2000-01 season.

A persistent nerve injury in his back ruled him out for most of the 2003-04 season, but he made his senior debut in August 2004 in a Carling Cup match victory over Southend United.

He made his League debut at Reading in March 2005 and played 12 games alongside Ferdinand as the Hammers clinched promotion through the play-offs.

Ward's elder brothers are all professionals. Lee was with Watford, Scott with Peterborough and Darren, a target for the Canaries when he was at Millwall, plays for Crystal Palace.