West Ham's attempt to avoid relegation has been boosted by confirmation that Lacina Traoré has been granted a work permit, with the club confident of completing the Ivory Coast striker's loan move from Monaco before their weekend game against Newcastle.

Traoré, a 6ft 8in forward, only moved to the French club from Anzhi Makhachkala for £8.6m earlier this month but was immediately made available for loan with his chances likely to be limited in the short-term behind Radamel Falcao at Stade Louis II.

West Ham moved quickly to agree a deal with Monaco but, with the 23-year-old's seven caps for his country failing to qualify for a work permit, they were forced to lodge an appeal to gain clearance for his move under the "exceptional talent" criteria.

Sam Allardyce appeared in front of a panel made up of representatives of the Football Association, Premier League and Professional Footballers' Association on Monday, with their approval having prompted the green light from the Home Office for the move to be finalised.

The player has already been medically assessed in France and, while he may not be match fit given that he arrives after the winter break in the Russian domestic season, he is expected to complete the formalities of the transfer in the next 24 hours.

Traoré will compete with Andy Carroll, who featured for the first time this season as a substitute at Cardiff, and Carlton Cole for a forward berth, with the latter having agreed a new 18-month deal.

Cole had been released at the end of last season only to re-sign a short-term agreement under freedom of contract in the autumn. That expired on Monday but, having scored four Premier League goals in 11 appearances this term, he has now committed his future to the club.