West Brom set to miss out on Darren Fletcher

West Brom look likely to miss out on midfield target Darren Fletcher with West Ham moving into pole position to sign the Manchester United midfielder.

And the Baggies suffered a further blow when Youssouf Mulumbu was injured on African Cup of Nations duty.

Sources in London last night claimed the high-flying Hammers were close to finalising a deal for Fletcher, despite strong interest from the Baggies and Spanish side Valencia.

Pulis admitted hours earlier that he had spoken to the Scot and hoped to bring him to the Hawthorns.

But the Hammers' extra financial clout and impressive Premier League form appears to have won the day.

Well-placed reports from the capital claim the 30-year-old was poised to move to Upton Park on a six-month loan with a view to a permanent signing.

Mulumbu, meanwhile, left the field on a stretcher with a hamstring injury in DR Congo's goalless draw with Cape Verde last night.

Pulis is now poised to make a fresh bid for Wigan winger Callum McManaman, after his first two offers were rejected.

He confirmed the Baggies have watched Nottingham Forest winger Michail Antonio, although there are no plans currently to pursue him.

Pulis said: "It is going on along with two or three others. We are exploring the situation to see if we can bring him (McManaman) in."

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Queens Park Rangers' Matt Phillips is also of interest to the Baggies although the London club are reluctant to sell the wide man to a rival for Premier League survival.

The 23-year-old made his Premier League name with Blackpool before joining Rangers.

Georgios Samaras is set to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal on loan, with the option of a permanent move at the end of the season.

Pulis said: "We need to decide if it's a good deal for us or not and it has to be right for everyone. The clubs have to agree but it's got to be right for the player as well.

"We know where we need improve and where we'd like to improve and that's what we're working on. We're hoping things will drop for us."

"If it's not McManaman we've got irons in the fire with two or three others we'd like to bring in."

Pulis has an injury doubt over James Morrison for tomorrow's FA Cup fourth round game at Birmingham City.

Youssouf Mulumbu is on African Cup of Nations duty and Jonas Olsson is still recovering from Achilles surgery.