Spurs close to signing West Ham's Parker

Tottenham look set to sign Scott Parker after West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted he left the England midfielder out of Sunday's game at Nottingham Forest because a deal is close to completion.

Parker has been keen to join a Premier League club following West Ham's relegation to the Championship and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, a long-time admirer of the 30-year-old England international, seems to have won the race for his signature.

Allardyce told Sky Sports: "There are some negotiations going on and I don't think he would be mentally right to play. It will come to fruition in the next 24 hours or so."

Parker, who joined the Hammers from Newcastle for 7 million pounds in 2007, was named Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year last season even though his team finished bottom of the Premier League.