Bowyer poised to join West Ham

WEST HAM are confident Lee Bowyer will be in their team to face Newcastle at Upton Park on Saturday and help them fight their way out of relegation trouble.

The Hammers have already agreed a nominal fee with Leeds to sign Bowyer, who travelled to London late last night for talks with Hammers boss Glenn Roeder and managing director Paul Aldridge.

Bowyer is now expected to return to Leeds to sort out some personal business and may not be officially unveiled by the Hammers until Thursday or Friday.

Roeder is desperate to strengthen his bottom-of-the-table squad while the transfer window is open and said last night: “Lee is a fantastic midfielder who has the best years of his career ahead of him.”

Roeder’s priority has been to sign a striker as Paolo di Canio and Freddie Kanoute are long-term injury victims, but the chance to sign a quality midfielder like England star Bowyer is too good to resist.

Aldridge was also keen to sort out personal terms last night as he is due to fly to Italy this morning to check on di Canio’s progress.

He said: “We have been working hard for some time to put this deal together and it would be nice if he was in the squad for our game on Saturday.”

Bowyer, who would have been out of contract at Elland Road this summer, has turned down a new deal with Leeds.

Leeds have decided to cut their losses on him and a club statement: “Leeds United and Lee have agreed a schedule for the repayment of his outstanding legal fees. Lee will be having contract talks with West Ham later .”

Leeds have been looking to offload Bowyer since the summer. The club agreed a fee with Liverpool for the England midfielder but Reds boss Gerard Houllier had second thoughts and the move collapsed.

Birmingham last week admitted they had made enquiries about the former Charlton player’s availability, while Tottenham were also believed to have turned down the chance to sign Bowyer but were worried about his off-field reputation.

Legal bills arising from his much-publicised trial were believed to be a sticking point in any potential move. But Leeds confirmed they had agreed a plan for Bowyer to repay those bills if he returns to London.

Roeder still hopes to complete the signing of a striker, with Tottenham’s Les Ferdinand heading his short list.

Aldridge also revealed the club would talk to stand-in skipper Joe Cole about a new contract.

He added: “We are having discussions regarding a new contract for Joe and a meeting will be set up before the end of the season.”