West Ham United are in hot water by letting an unregistered doctor treat its players, it has been revealed.

The Sun says the Hammers appointed Greek Nikos Tzouroudis as their top doc in July, even though he is not registered with the General Medical Council. He was recommended by Gianluca Nani, the club's technical director, and was brought in to put an end to West Ham's injury problems.

It is against Premier League and GMC rules to practise medicine in the UK without clearance from the governing body.

Tzouroudis helped treat Carlton Cole in the season opener against Wigan.

But he has now been banned from working alongside team boss Gianfranco Zola in the dugout.

A club spokesman said: "We informed the Premier League, GMC and FA when Nikos arrived.

"We were advised he required GMC registration and needed to complete an FA course, which the club are complying with.

"He is acting in a strategic, managerial role."