Maurice Ross has returned to Glasgow Rangers - for the time being.
Maurice trained with the Hammers on Thursday as Alan Pardew looked at the possibility of a year-long loan, but, due to injury problems at Ibrox, he has been recalled.
However, that does not rule out the possibility of a move for Scottish international Maurice, a right back, when Rangers' injuries ease.
"The bottom line is at the moment we are not going to get out of this division unless we strengthen defensively - and I am certainly on the case with that," says Alan.