HITC Sport understands West Ham United have agreed to let highly-rated striker Elliot Lee go out on loan to gain more first-team experience.

West Ham striker Elliott Lee is a target for a number of Football League clubs on loan, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Lee has caught the eye for West Ham this season, making three appearances in the Europa League qualifying rounds and scoring the winner against FC Lusitans last month.

However, now West Ham have crashed out of Europe the club are ready to send Lee out on loan so that he can continue his development with regular first-team football.

Lee, who is the son of former Newcastle and England midfielder Rob Lee, is highly-regarded within the corridors of power at Upton Park and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is known to rate Lee feeling a loan switch will boost his game-time levels.

Lee had spells out on loan at Southend United and Luton Town last season, scoring three goals in 11 outings for Luton after his stint at Southend was cut short by injury.

A number of clubs are thought to have made enquiries to West Ham as they look to win the race for Lee’s signature on loan.

But Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is known to rate Lee highly and a move away from the club on a loan basis to boost his game-time levels is understood to be the most likely development if the young defender leaves.

In other news, Report: Aston Villa keen to sell Bjorn Engels after receiving loan enquiry