West Ham close to signing Manchester United's Ravel Morrison

The talented Morrison, whose contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer, was undergoing a medical today prior to a £300,00 move which could rise to £3million on appearances.

Barnsley's Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te was also undergoing a medical in London today as manager Sam Allardyce looked to strengthen his squad for the second half of the Championship season while Brazilian front player Ze Eduardo was expected to complete a loan move from Genoa.

West Ham, it is understood, were also hoping to sign one other player before tonight's deadline.

Carlos Tevez has already been effectively been ruled out by Allardyce, who has also been linked in recent weeks with Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes, Bristol City's Nicky Maynard, Glasgow Rangers' front man Nikica Jelavic and Leicester's Jermaine Beckford.

It is the signing of Morrison though, which will create most interest. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken highly of the teenager's talent in the past but disciplinary problems have slowed his progress.

Morrison, who celebrates his 19th birthday in three days time, has made three substitute appearances for United, the first in October 2010 in a Carling Cup tie against Wolves.

Off the field though, there have been problems culminating in early 2011 when he was given a 12-month referral order on two counts of witness intimidation.

"The deal is not quite done yet but we are hopeful it will be completed," said Allardyce today before joining up with his squad for tonight's match at Ipswich..

"Ravel is a talented lad and if he really wants to be a player then we will help him as much as we can along the way.

"Perhaps a change of environment will be beneficial to him and help him make that step up to first team football quicker than perhaps would have been the case at Manchester United. There is no doubt he has exceptional talent."

United had already rejected an offer from Newcastle to take Morrison while the player had turned down a move to Bolton.

West Ham had also been interested in striker Eder who plays for Academica in Portugal but that move is unlikely now to take place.

Matt Taylor could meanwhile start his first match for more than seven weeks at Portman Road tonight after recovering from calf problems but Joey O'Brien and Papa Bouba Diop are both ruled out through injury.

"The lads have had ten days off and are itching to get back into action," said Allardyce, who is mystified by Ipswich's slump since they beat West Ham at Upton Park 1-0 back in September with a last minute goal.

"Knowing Paul Jewell as I do and remembering how well they played that night, I can't believe they are just one place above the relegation places."
Allardyce also warned his players that "anxiety levels will increase" as the Championship season moves towards a climax.

"Winning a game still only means three points," he said, "but with fewer and fewer game the points become ever more precious.

"Only Kevin Nolan has had recent experience of that kind of pressure at Newcastle, the pressure that you must win.

"I will impress upon the players though that pressure should be a pleasure - not a burden."