Kelvin Davis is expected to sign for West Ham in the next 48 hours

Kelvin Davis is expected to sign for West Ham in the next 48 hours.

The former England Under-21 goalkeeper is currently training with the Hammers after his deal at Southampton expired and he will sign a two-year contract by the end of the week to act as back-up to Robert Green.

Southampton manager Mark Wotte had hoped to keep Davis, despite the goalkeeper undergoing a medical at Upton Park last week ahead of a switch to the Hammers.

The Saints boss revealed on Thursday that he remained optimistic Davis would agree a new contract with the League One club, if a takeover were sealed before he joined West Ham.

"I asked Kelvin about his situation and he has almost signed for West Ham," Wotte said. "I hope the takeover will be done before Kelvin joins West Ham."

Southampton look set to be sold to Swiss company Liebherr Group in a �12.5m deal in the coming days.

But Davis is poised to turn his back on the Saints and commit his future to West Ham after joining the club for training this week.

New signing Luis Jimenez did not arrive for the opening day of pre-season, with the midfielder finalising some personal matters following his loan transfer from Inter Milan.