Hammers hijacked in African striker deal

El Hadji Diouf has signed a three-month deal with Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers, after a move to West Ham failed to materialise reports skysports.com.

The 30-year-old Senegalese star will head to the Keepmoat Stadium as a free agent following his release from Blackburn, subject to the relevant paperwork being cleared.

Diouf recently underwent a trial at Upton Park, but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce - who has signed the winger on two previous occasions - for Bolton and Blackburn - opted against snapping him up for a third time at West Ham.

That handed an opportunity to recently-appointed Rovers boss Dean Saunders - who has already been able to add considerable top-flight experience to his ranks in a bid to start climbing the Championship table.

The arrival of a player who once commanded a £10million transfer fee when he first moved to England, joining Liverpool from Lens on a short-term contract will be sure to give everyone a lift.