Aston Villa fullback Stephen Warnock is set to join West Ham United.

The Telegraph says Warnock will have talks with Sam Allardyce on Sunday and Villa are prepared to let the defender leave on a free transfer to get his £40,000 a week wages off the books.

The former England international, 31, is one of the fringe players on big money that Lambert has been desperate to shift and Villa do not expect any hitches in the deal.

Wolves and Leeds United have attempted to sign Warnock on loan but the prospect of remaining in the Premier League is likely to swing the move in Allardyce's favour.