WEST Ham are banking on Middlesbrough's financial needs to save their Premiership skins.

The Hammers, who have to better whatever Wanderers achieve against Middlesbrough on Sunday to avoid the drop, reckon that while they need points, Boro need pounds.

And Boro boss Steve McClaren inadvertently backed up that view when he said the result of the game was 'of vital importance to the club's finances'.

With pounds for places in the Premiership, each move up the table is worth half a million pounds.

The bottom club receives £500,000 with similar increments up to the champions, who pick up £10m.

That means if Middlesbrough win on Sunday they could move up two places and net a £1 million windfall.

"Obviously the position we achieve from our last game can make a lot of difference to our summer transfer money," said McClaren.

"That is why we are looking to win. It is very important we finish the season as high in the table as possible."

West Ham caretaker boss Trevor Brooking is acutely aware of the situation and is hoping the lure of extra cash will spur Boro to a winning performance at the Reebok.

"They had a good 5-1 win over Spurs last week and there is still a lot to play for in Premiership," he said.

"If Middlesbrough can get something out of the game at the Reebok it can be worth a lot of money to them.

"Looking at the cluster of clubs around them in the table they could go up three or down three depending on the result so it is not a meaningless game for them."

In Wanderers' favour, however, is that Birmingham have twice as many financial reasons to beat West Ham.

A victory for Blues can move them up a massive four places and drop a £2 million jackpot into the St Andrews coffers.

Steve Bruce's side is currently on 47 points, only two behind Middlesbrough and should they do what all of Bolton wants on Sunday and beat West Ham, then they too could move up four places.