Brent Rahim: Set to wrap up move to Upton Park (AlexLivesey/Allsport)

Rahim, who has been playing for Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, was recommended by former Hammers goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and the Upton Park club have been sufficiently impressed to sign him up.

The midfielder played for the Hammers in a private practice match against Tottenham earlier this week and manager Glenn Roeder said: 'He did enough for us to want to keep him. He's a very positive lad, likes to get box to box and wants to learn.'

A decision will made next Monday, meanwhile, on whether West Ham's Northern Ireland international midfielder Steve Lomas will need an operation.

Lomas battled back from a long-term knee injury last season, contributing four goals as Roeder's men finished seventh. But he has been suffering from shin pain and Roeder said: 'Steve has been ordered to rest completely for a few days.

'He'll return to training next Monday and then we'll assess things. Hopefully it will be okay but if not the likelihood is that he'll need a minor operation that will keep him out another two to three weeks.