West Ham are poised to sign out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher on loan for the rest of the season.

Upton Park manager Sam Allardyce looks set to land the Scotland international with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season, despite interest from several other clubs, including Valencia and West Brom.

Fletcher has hardly featured at United this season under manager Louis van Gaal and with his current contract due to expire this summer, feels the time is right to seek a new challenge.

The 30-year-old started the first three games under Van Gaal but has since been relegated to the substitutes’ bench.

His last start was in United’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Yeovil on January 4.

Fletcher has been at Old Trafford since the age of 11 and has made more than 200 first-team appearances.

He has also had to overcome serious illness in recent years, being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which required surgery in 2013.

Meanwhile, there were also reports today that West Ham’s former Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison has agreed a pre-contract with Lazio and will move to Italy at the end of the season.