Birmingham City are taking West Ham United's owners to the High Court.

The Mirror says David Sullivan's woes at West Ham are mounting after Birmingham owner Carson Yeung sparked a High Court battle for £5million compensation.

Hong Kong tycoon Yeung is unhappy with Premier League City's finances after completing an £80million takeover last October.

Yeung yesterday slapped in a series of writs at the High Court as he believes he paid too much at £1 a share for City given the club posted a recent £20million loss.

But Sullivan is counter-suing for around £2million worth of unclaimed expenses from his reign and insists City officials have libelled his old regime.

Sullivan told the Mirror: "Unfortunately as they started it we'll be issuing writs ourselves.

"We'll be counter-suing for several million.

"I don't think it is right for people in football to sue each other as it is not good for either club.

"Right from the start we tried to find a way to resolve this amicably.

"Now the only gainers will be the lawyers."