Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has hinted that West Ham's attempt to sign Darren Randolph could move on within the next 48 hours.
The Boro keeper has been strongly linked with a return to the Hammers , two-and-a-half years after leaving the club.
However, the Guardian have said that the Hammers are further examining Randolph's thigh injury which has kept him out of 12 of Middlesbrough's last 14 games.
Football.London has been told Randolph would undergo a second examination and there were no concerns that a deal will collapse.
But Woodgate has make a joke about how long it is taking for the medical to be done, having admitted last week that Randolph was "in negotiations" with a Premier League team.
Speaking ahead of Middlesbrough's FA Cup third round replay with Tottenham tomorrow, Woodgate said: “The situation is with Darren it’s the longest medical I’ve ever known in history and I’ve had a few medicals myself and, believe it or not, I’ve passed a few.
“But this is unbelievable really, let’s see what happens over the next 48 hours."
Meanwhile, Woodgate has spoken about what West Ham can expect with Randolph, if his move goes through.
“Darren’s a professional. Look what he’s done for the football club, he’s been an outstanding keeper for us so he’ll be professional. He’ll be fine," he said.
“Is he going to be a No2? Fabianski’s injured so he’s going for No1, isn’t he?
“Listen I love Darren Randolph he’s a top keeper, he hasn’t gone yet so let’s see.”
The Hammers currently have Roberto and David Martin as their available options in goal, after Lukasz Fabianski suffered a suspected recurrence of a hip injury in the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Friday.
Martin came on to replace him, but made an error that led to the Blades' goal, with his mistake the latest made by the back-up options to Fabianski, after Roberto had a shocking time of it in goal having replaced the Polish goalkeeper earlier in the season.
