Albion have warned West Ham to keep their hands off boss Steve Coppell.

Chief executive Martin Perry declared last night: "He is ours" after a report claiming Coppell was on a shortlist of four for the post at Upton Park.

Coppell is said to be in contention with his close friend Alan Pardew, from Reading, Nottingham Forest's Paul Hart and Gary Megson, of West Brom.

Perry insists there has been no approach from the Hammers. He added: "As far as we are concerned it is all speculation. We haven't heard anything and we don't know anything.

"He is ours and that's it."

The Argus reported on Saturday that Coppell's odds for the West Ham job had been slashed from 33-1 to 7-1 by leading bookmakers Ladbrokes following a flood of bets.

Teenager Dan Harding has set his sights on more first team involvement after an encouraging full debut.

Harding replaced the suspended Nathan Jones on the left side of midfield in last Saturday's 3-3 thriller at Plymouth.

Now the 19-year-old is in contention for his first home start against Swindon at Withdean on Saturday.

"Hopefully for the rest of the season I can make a few more appearances and then push on for a regular place in the future," said Harding.

"I'd like to be involved in every single game, but that is up to the gaffer and things like injuries."

Jones is still banned for the Swindon visit, but Harding's chances of starting could hinge on whether Simon Rodger recovers from the groin injury which has ruled him out of the last two matches.

If Harding plays then then he can depend on fellow youth team product Kerry Mayo guiding him through his full home debut.

"Having Kerry behind me at Plymouth was a great help, with all the experience he's had," Harding said.

"He came up to me before the game and said a few good words to me.

"He was talking to me throughout the whole game, so that was nice."

Former Albion legend Gordon Smith is hoping his 23-year-old son Grant makes it into Swindon's starting line-up.

The ex-Albion apprentice has joined the Wiltshire club on a two-year deal after spells with Reading, Halifax, Sheffield United and Plymouth.

Smith, a left-sided midfielder, came off the bench for Swindon's 2-2 home draw against Blackpool last Saturday.

Smith senior said: "He is very disappointed he hasn't played so far. He has only started one game, but I have told him to be patient.

"I knew it wasn't going to be crucial to his career when I got him away from Brighton to finish his scholarship at Wycombe.

"Steve Gritt came in and he was just not treating Grant very well, but he has gone on from there."