06.08.2003 - Mellor set for West Ham move

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Neil Mellor could be set to spend the 2003-4 season in Division 1, with West Ham interested in taking the 20-year old on a season long loan deal.

Mellor has found it difficult to win a place in the Reds' first team, but he is highly rated by the staff at Anfield, with Mellor having scored 39 goals in 41 reserve team appearance over the past two seasons, which have seen him finish as the top scorer in the FA Premier Reserve League North on each occasion.

Having proved himself as one of the most natural young strikers around, Mellor is now likely to be wanting first team football on a more regular basis though, and with Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Milan Baros all ahead of him, Mellor may see a season with West Ham as an opportunity to gain valuable first team experience which could help him finally win a regular place in the Liverpool line up when he returns.

Should a deal be concluded quickly, Mellor could even be in line to make his debut as early as thie weekend, when the new Nationwide League season gets underway.