West Ham United are on the verge of signing fomer Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz on loan for the rest of the season.

The Austrian international, now 30, will join the Irons for the remainder of the 2012/13 campaign with view to a permanent contract according to reports.German media have revealed that Pogatetz, who played at the Riverside between 2005 and 2010 has travelled to London in order to rubber-stamp his move to east London.Currently with Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, Pogatetz - also known as 'Mad Dog' - has also been linked with Aston Villa and Fulham in recent days although according to reports from Germany has opted to join Sam Allardyce's squad instead.The Hammers boss is also hoping to clinch a second signing with the capture of Stephen Warnock from Aston Villa. The 31-year-old former England international has fallen out of favour at Villa Park and looks set to join Pogatetz at the Boleyn Ground on a free transfer imminently.West Ham, who placed a third bid for Blackburn left-back Martin Olsson on Friday have turned to Warnock having become increasingly disillusioned with their search for a replacement for George McCartney, who is sidelined for several weeks.The former Liverpool and Blackburn player is said to be earning in the region of ?40,000 per week at Villa, but is yet to make a single appearance for the relegation-threatened club this season. He spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Bolton in the Championship.