Hammers close in on defensive pair

West Ham were today close to signing Aston Villa’s former England left-back Stephen Warnock and Wolfsburg defender Emanuel Pogatetz.

Both players were expected to undergo medicals today and, providing there are no problems, are expected to complete their moves within the next 24 hours.

Warnock, who is rumoured to be on £40,000 per week at Villa Park but has yet to start a first team match there this season, is a free transfer having been released by the Midlands club.

Pogatetz, 30, is captain of the Austrian international team and was nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ by Middlesbrough fans for his aggressive style of defending during his five seasons at the club. He is expected to sign an initial six-month loan deal for a £500,000 loan fee with an option to make the move permanent.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been desperate to sign a full-back and central defender following injuries to George McCartney and James Collins. He had several bids for Swedish left-back Martin Olsson rejected by Blackburn and so turned to 31-year-old Warnock who spent the first part of the season on loan at Bolton.

Pogatetz, who has not figured in the Wolfsburg first team since October, was also rumoured to be interesting Fulham, who meet West Ham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.