Lee loaned to Shrimpers

Promising West Ham United striker Elliot Lee has joined Sky Bet League Two side Southend United on loan until 31 January 2015.

The 19-year-old forward has been in prolific form yet again this season, scoring five goals in seven Barclays U21 Premier League and Premier League International Cup appearances.

All those goals have come in his last four appearances, tempting Shrimpers manager Phil Brown to make the move to take Lee to Roots Hall.

The forward has twice featured for the first team, being handed a Barclays Premier League debut as a substitute in the 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City on 31 August 2013, having made his first-team bow in the FA Cup third-round replay at Manchester United in January of the same year.

The youngster spent a period on loan with League One side Colchester United, scoring his maiden league goal against Rotherham United on 2 November 2013.

Lee could make his debut in Southend's League Two fixture at Mansfield Town on Saturday, while the teenager has also been given permission to play in the Essex club's FA Cup first-round tie with Chester on 8 November.

West Ham have the right to recall Lee any time after the first 28 days of his loan period has elapsed.

Southend sit ninth in League Two, just a point outside the Play-Off places, but are without a victory in five matches stretching back to September.
Lee will hope to boost an attack that has scored just 14 goals in those 15 matches.

The Durham-born player becomes the fifth West Ham player out on loan at present. George Moncur is with Colchester United, Ravel Morrison at Cardiff City, Modibo Maiga with French side Metz and Sean Maguire at Accrington Stanley.