West Ham United target highly-regarded Championship pair as part of major summer recruitment drive

West Ham United will be desperately hoping that their return to the Championship proves to be short-lived.

The Hammers will be plying their trade outside of the Premier League for the first time since 2012 after seeing their 14-year-long spell in the top-flight come to a crashing end last month.

A 3-0 final day home win over Leeds United ultimately proved in vein as Tottenham Hotspur secured the three points they needed against Everton to ensure they, at the expense of the Hammers, retained their Premier League status.

Despite their anguish, it has been confirmed that Portuguese boss Nuno Espirito Santo will remain at the helm as the Londoners attempt to bounce back up at the first time of asking, and he is understood to have already set his sights on a couple of players to lead their promotion charge.

The Athletic are reporting that Sheffield United's highly-regarded Sydie Peck sits high on the 52-year-old's summer hit-list, together with Cardiff City's Welsh international Dylan Lawlor.

Peck was the subject of heavy transfer speculation in January with West Ham one of a number of clubs linked with a move for the 21-year-old.

Now, it seems as though they are set to test the Bramall Lane club's resolve with a big money offer for the talented midfielder.

Peck made 40 appearances for the Blades last season, contributing to five goals and four assists as the Steel City side finished the campaign in 13th position.

Whilst no official valuation has been put on his head, it's believed that United will demand at least £10 million to even contemplate sanctioning his departure.

In addition to Peck, West Ham have also set their sights on Cardiff defender Lawlor, who made 32 appearances for the Bluebirds in what was a real breakthrough campaign as they secured automatic promotion from League One.

The powerful and imposing central defender was called up to the senior Welsh side for the first time by Craig Bellamy against Belgium last summer and has since established himself as a mainstay in the group, most recently starting in the 1-1 draw with Ghana earlier this week.

It's expected he will also feature for the Dragons in tomorrow evening's international friendly against Romania (18:45 BST).