West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that Stewart Downing is the most in-form midfielder in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old has been a crucial player for his club in the opening weeks of the season and played a big part in their 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.

"I don't think there is anybody playing in midfield that is better than Stewart Downing," BBC Sport quotes Allardyce as saying.

"He was my man of the match against QPR. The confidence is growing again in Stewart and he's showing his quality.

"The quality of Stewart Downing was a major factor why we beat QPR. The amount of ball we can get to him in that position in midfield, in a diamond, has been fantastic for him and for us."

Downing joined West Ham from Liverpool for a reported fee of £5m last summer.