Rangers make shock move for Hammers star Dailly

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Ibrox manager Walter Smith has identified the 34-year-old Scotland servant as a possible loan signing to provide cover for central defence and the midfield holding role.

Rangers need back-up for these two areas - with Bryan Robson's Sheffield United luring Ehiogu south yesterday and Kevin Thomson facing a spell on the sidelines because of a groin injury.

Thomson was in Manchester last night to see a specialist and the player could be ruled out of a handful of games if he requires an operation.

Dailly fits the bill as cover both areas and discreet inquiries are being made about the man who began his career at Dundee United before moving south to Derby County in 1996.

Rangers signed David Weir and Ehiogu under similar circumstances last January when Smith took over from Paul le Guen.

But, while Weir has become part of the Ibrox furniture thanks to his assured displays at the back, Ehiogu has been restricted by injury and the arrival of Spanish central defender, Carlos Cuellar, despite scoring a spectacular winner for Rangers at Parkhead last March.

"I've worked with Ugo before and he can do a job for Sheffield United," said Blades boss Robson last night.

Ehiogu said: "I've enjoyed my time in Glasgow but, at my stage, have to play more often. I have some great memories, like that Parkhead goal.

"Rangers are going well now and I hope they go on to lift the SPL title."

Robson once paid a whopping £8million to sign Ehiogu for Middlesbrough from Aston Villa but the defender is now 35.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is unlikely to stand in Dailly's way if he fancies a return north of the border for the second half of the season, having loaned him to George Burley's Championship outfit Southampton for the first part of the campaign.

The versatile Scotland stalwart won his 66th cap against Ukraine last October and is sixth in the SFA's all-time list - only Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, Paul McStay and Tom Boyd have made more appearances for the national side.

Dailly worked for Smith after he took over the Scotland job from the ill-fated Berti Vogts and he will now be invited to join the SPL title race, with Rangers having established a four-point lead over Celtic thanks to Wednesday's unconvincing 2-1 win over Gretna at Fir Park.

Former Manchester United and West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll remains at Ibrox as back-up to Allan McGregor despite interest from Derby County - with no sign of a resolution yet on that particular issue.

Meanwhile, Sasa Papac has been ruled out of an international return with Bosnia because of club commitments.

The defender has been named in the squad for an energy-sapping trip to Tokyo to play a challenge match against Japan on January 31 but the fixture falls only 24 hours after Rangers meet Hearts in the CIS Cup semi-final at Hampden and the Ibrox club will block the player's release, with the match not on a FIFA-recognised date for friendlies.

Japan are unlikely to include Celtic pair Shunsuke Nakamura and new signing Koki Mizuno for the same reason.