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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that he tried to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku all summer but Everton managed to get him on loan on transfer deadline day.
The Hammers have struggled in the Premier League so far with club record signing Andy Caroll still sidelined with injury. As they prepare for a weekend fixture against the Toffees, Allardyce admitted that he failed to sign the current Everton striker on loan.<br />
"I chased him all summer to be honest," said Allardyce. "But when it became the final day of the deadline we missed out and Everton managed to secure his position.<br />
"We were more or less told he was going back to West Brom. We tried, but didn't manage to clinch it."<br />
Allardyce however, is optimistic about Mladen Petric regaining his fitness in time to face Cardiff next week in the Carling Cup fixture after arriving at Upton Park for free.<br />
"Mladen Petric is training every day and trying to overcome the every day fatigue. He is going through a pre-season and that leaves you tired," he said.<br />
"We're then waiting to find his recovery is quicker and he's into the football as well as the physical side. He's enjoying being back with a group of players he can mingle with rather than being stuck in a park or gym.<br />
"We're hoping he can make an appearance in or around for the Cardiff game [on Tuesday night]."
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