West Ham United midfielder Stuart Downing is on the brink of signing for Middlesbrough after the Hammers gave the winger permission to discuss terms with his former employers.

Reports from BBC Teesside claim the England internationa midfielder is travelling to Teesside to complete a medical.

Downing will return to his former club on a reported five-year contract as Boro strengthen their side ahead of the new Championship season.

The former Liverpool wideman spent eight years at Boro previously, making 181 appearances and winning Player of the Year on two occasions.

West Ham brought Downing for a fee of around £5 million from Anfield and it is anticipated the Hammers will recoup most of that fee in selling him to the north east side.

Downing scored six goals for the Upton Park club last season and earned an England call up in November for the games against Slovenia and Scotland.

Any deal could be completed as early as tomorrow (Thursday), subject to his medical and he will join up with his new teammates in Marbella for their pre-season training camp should it go through.