West Ham United dismiss Stewart Downing talk

West Ham United assistant manager Neil McDonald has played down rumours linking the club with a move for Liverpool winger Stewart Downing.

It was reported on Tuesday that the Hammers had held initial discussions with the Merseysiders over a possible transfer.

"He's a very good player," McDonald told talkSPORT. "A player of that calibre and West Ham being involved would be great, but it's all paper talk at the moment."

Downing arrived at Liverpool from Middlesbrough for £20m in the summer of 2011.