Daily WHUFC News - 7th February 2018

Club Statement
WHUFC.com

The Club would like to place on record that it categorically refutes the claims made by the Daily Telegraph regarding manager David Moyes. There is absolutely no truth whatsoever to this story. As previously stated on a number of occasions, the Club and David Moyes agreed a deal until the end of the 2017/18 season, at which point both parties will sit down and discuss the future. Until then, the Board and David Moyes will continue to work closely together with the Manager having full responsibility of footballing matters and the full support of the Board. Everyone's sole focus is on trying to achieve results for West Ham United.

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Obiang surgery a success - Lewin
WHUFC.com

West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang has undergone a successful operation on the knee injury he sustained at the end of January. The 25-year-old suffered a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the Hammers' Emirates FA Cup tie at Wigan Athletic on 27 January, and now faces a spell on the sidelines as he begins his rehabilitation.
Obiang, who has played 86 games for the Hammers since arriving from Italian side Sampdoria in summer 2015, could be forced to sit out the rest of the 2017/18 campaign but Hammers Head of Medical Gary Lewin is confident the Spaniard will return stronger. He said: "Pedro has undergone surgery to repair the medial collateral ligament, and we're delighted with how it went. "He went to a specialist in Barcelona for the operation and he is in the best possible hands as the rehab process gets underway. "Pedro is likely to be out for a little while, but we are confident that he will return fit and strong in ample time for pre-season."

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Decision-making cost U23s against Sunderland - Westley
WHUFC.com

Academy Director Terry Westley believes poor decision-making played a crucial role in the U23s' 1-0 defeat to Sunderland. A 14th minute finish from Lee Connelly was the difference between the two sides on Monday evening, as West Ham United fell to a second straight defeat in the league. Westley feels his side came close to levelling the game in the second period, after two substitutions at half-time, but acknowledges the match was lost in the first half."I thought we started really poorly which gave them the initiative to get in the game," Westley told whufc.com. "Their goal was quite a classic of that. It ends up with our 'keeper, who makes a bad decision, and the next thing it ends up in our net "I just thought our decision-making, overall, wasn't good enough in the first half. We shook things up at half-time and I have to say I think that made a difference in the second half, but we just couldn't get an equaliser. We came really close."
A young line-up took to the pitch for the Hammers with only Marcus Browne and January signing Oladapo Afolayan older than 19-years-old, and Westley admits injuries played a role in the contest. The new forward's performance was praised by the Academy Director, as was the league debut of Josh Okotcha, and Browne. He continued: "We were very young and we had to make some late changes this weekend. Josh Okotcha played for the youth team in Swansea at the weekend, so it's not ideal. Reece Hannam is the same. We had a lot of players out – Pike, Vashon, Pask – Aji is with England as well. "We're down on a lot of players but it's down to this group of players to get the results we are looking for. "You always come away with positives. Okotcha did well tonight in his U23 league debut, at under 16. I thought Marcus Browne was head and shoulders better than anyone else on the pitch. He was driving on the ball and the way he led as a captain. "Oladapo has made a good debut. We wanted to wait a little while because he's only been with us two training sessions, but because of injuries we've had to throw him in a lot sooner than we anticipated. But he's got five shots off and they've all hit the target. I think he showed us what he's about."

With Toni Martinez, Martin Samuelsen, captain Moses Makasi and Reece Burke all leaving West Ham on loan in January, the opportunity to claim a place in the U23s have opened up, something Westley was eager for his young side to understand. He added: "We've just said to the players in the dressing room: 'you've waited and, at first team level, sometimes you have one opportunity to have an impact'. "The ones who haven't been playing have now come in and they've got to show, firstly, that they are as good as the ones that have gone out on loan, and they can then kick on and become a success. That's the challenge."

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Okotcha pleased with U23s league debut vs Sunderland
WHUFC.com

Joshua Okotcha is disappointed he couldn't mark his U23s league debut with a win against Sunderland, but is thrilled with the experience. The 16-year-old was named in Terry Westley's team in Premier League 2 for the first time, having made his debut for the side against Benfica earlier this campaign, and put in a strong showing at centre-back against the Black Cats. Despite Okotcha's efforts the Irons fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, courtesy of a 14th minute finish by Lee Connelly, and the defender is frustrated to not get a positive result on his league debut.
But the youngster also feels delighted to have made his first showing for the side, something he wants to build on for the rest of the season. "Playing in the U23s in the league for the first time was a really good experience," Okotcha told whufc.com. "I really enjoyed it, although obviously I would have preferred to have come away with a win. "I thought we started a little sloppy, but we came back into the game really well. Our performance in the second half deserved an equaliser. Browne hit the post, and we were really unlucky."

To play in Monday's match was an impressive feat for Okotcha, given he also featured in the full 90 minutes of the U18s' clash with Swansea City in South Wales on Sunday. "It was a quick turnaround," he admits. "I started to get some cramp towards the end of this game but there was no way I wasn't going to play. It was an awesome opportunity."

With a number of players from the U23s going out on loan in January Okotcha is hopeful of earning more playing experience in Westley's side this campaign. "I'm enjoying getting experience with the U23s. Hopefully I can continue to play for this side, and get more time on the pitch in the rest of the games."

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'Jordan Hugill can be a Premier League player in no time'
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio has backed Jordan Hugill to become the latest Championship star to make his mark in a West Ham United shirt. Antonio, Aaron Cresswell and Sam Byram all excelled in the second tier before being snapped up by the Hammers from Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Leeds United respectively. Hugill followed that path when he joined from Preston North End on deadline day and Antonio, who scored 28 goals across four seasons for Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, believes the centre forward has both the attitude and the talent to become a Premier League hero. "It's one of those things where people talk about the Championship as if it is a foreign world, but there are very technical players down there who have quality!" said the winger, who returned to action after a nine-match absence through injury at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. "It's a very physical game so being able to deal with the physicality down there, you can definitely deal with the physicality of the Prem. "It's just about whether you are technically good and can keep up with the speed of the game. You can learn that in no time. As soon as you are down on the training ground, doing your training and learning, you are going to pick up speed and be a Premier League player in no time."

Hugill made his West Ham debut at the Amex, making his mark on the Seagulls' centre-backs during a wholehearted 15-minute cameo. The 25-year-old was one of two players brought in during the January transfer window, the other being creative Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario, and Antonio believes both will contribute positively as the Hammers seek to steer clear of an end-of-season relegation battle. "I'm very impressed with Mario. He's a very technical player with nice flair and his awareness is unbelievable. "I've not trained much with Jordan, but he came on on Saturday and looked like an ox! I've never seen anyone deal with [Brighton defender] Shane Duffy the way he just put him in his place. They are two great signings."

Antonio, Joao Mario and Hugill should all feature when Watford visit London Stadium on Saturday. And with the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini edging closer to returning from their respective hamstring injuries, West Ham's attacking options look set to be boosted for the final dozen games of the season. "We're not evening thinking about relegation," said the No30. "With the players we have got, we're not looking down, we're looking up.
"We lost on Saturday but we were six games unbeaten before that, so we're not looking down, but we're looking how far we can go up."

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TUESDAY'S NEWS ROUND UP: DAVID MOYES' FUTURE, OBIANG INJURY UPDATE, DEADLINE DAY TRANSFER RUMOUR!
AUTHOR: DAN CHAPMAN. PUBLISHED: 6 FEBRUARY 2018 AT 1:33PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Hello everyone. Here is what has been in the news today regarding West Ham:

David Moyes is unlikely to remain as West Ham manager beyond the end of the season, even if the club avoid relegation. (Evening Standard)

However, a new report today suggests that Moyes will be offered a new two-year-deal as West Ham manager if the club avoid relegation. (Evening Standard)

David Moyes was appointed as our manager to keep us in the Premier League. If he achieves that and we stay up relatively comfortably, then he fully deserves to stay in my opinion. However, if we stay up by the skin of our teeth then I would have to think twice about it.

We have improved massively under Moyes since his appointment in November, and I believe that he can be a success in the long term for us with the correct backing.

Pedro Obiang has undergone a successful operation on a knee injury that he sustained at the end of January against Wigan. (Sky Sports)

Its such a shame that Obiang is out for the rest of the season again, because I am sure the same happened this time last year too. I am sure that Pedro will come back stronger again, and that he will be ready to go again next season.

Lille were very keen to sell their captain Ibrahim Amadou to West Ham on Transfer Deadline Day last week. (Football London)

I must admit I had never heard of him until Deadline Day, but I assumed he was going to Palace if anyone. I heard that we were interested in him, but we never seemed to make a move. I would like to see us try again for him in the summer, especially if they are keen to sell him to us.

Terry Westley has hailed Marcus Browne's performance for the West Ham Under 23's last night. (HITC)

I didn't manage to see the U23's game last night, but Marcus Browne has always been a talented player in my opinion. I hope he is one of the next youngsters in our ranks to get his chance in the first team. I think he is a very exciting prospect, along with Nathan Holland.

Manuel Lanzini has issued a positive update on his hamstring injury. (Football London)

I can't wait for Manu to be back. We miss him so much when he plays, and that has been evident in the past couple of games. Once we have him fit again, Marko Arnautovic will also be back too. I don't know about anyone else, but a front four of Lanzini, Arnautovic, Joao Mario and Chicharito excites me a lot.

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Brady apologises for delay
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th February 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady has apologised to supporters for the unreasonable delay in installing suitable wi-fi at the Olympic Stadium.
Replying to an enquiry from supporter Tony Coleman via Twitter, Brady admitted that although installation of the network was beyond her control she had continued to press stadium operators E20 - with little success. "There are pockets of wifi in the stadium (for police, media etc)," Brady said in reply to the query, "but the infrastructure required for 60,000 people to all log on has not been installed yet. "I am sorry this was promised and not delivered. We were promised it by E20 but they have not ensured their operator delivers it. We are constantly onto them to sort it out."

Brady, who took the time to respond to a number of supporter enquiries today via social media also refuted a suggestion that the club asked to play away from home on Boxing Day last year. "I can confirm that we have never asked not to play at home on Boxing Day," she replied. "And the Premier League have never said we would not be picked to play at home on BD. "Police often request preferences of London clubs eg no home games while Notting Hill Carnival is on, but the PL do not always agree."

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Moyes rumours refuted by club insider
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th February 2018
By: Staff Writer

A West Ham spokesman has dismissed reports that the club are already preparing for life after David Moyes.

The Telegraph reported yesterrday that West Ham were intending to part company with Moyes at the end of the season, regardless of whether the Hammers are relegated from the Premier League or not. However a club spokesman today insisted that the story was wide of the mark and told the same source that no decision has yet been made on Moyes' future.
"As previously stated on a number of occasions, the club and David Moyes agreed a deal until the end of the 2017/18 season, at which point both parties will sit down and discuss the future," said the spokesman. "Until then, the Board and David Moyes will continue to work closely together with the Manager having full responsibility of footballing matters and the full support of the Board. Everyone's sole focus is on trying to achieve [positive] results for West Ham United." Moyes, who has been in charge of West Ham since the beginning of November has taken charge of matches, securing just five wins (one of which came against League One Shrewsbury in extra time of a 3rd round FA Cup replay) from 19 matches.

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A change is gonna come, whenever you like!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th February 2018
By: Paul Walker

It's over isn't it? Our hated West Ham board, they must now know that deep down. The start of the end game is with us.

It may not be quick and quiet, it will probably be noisy and angry. They own the club, they own the shares, this is not a democracy, they won't be shifted without a fight. It could, sadly, take years.

Just look at the continued war that is being fought by Blackpool fans over the vile Oyston family who have brought their club to it's knees, have sued their own fans and have pocketed vast amounts TV money and systematically destroyed their club, seemingly with a nasty streak of evil intent, revenge even.

I hope SGB do not go down that route, but they must realise now that, like a manager about to be sacked, they have lost the fans. For good, because there is no going back now. They are not trusted, nothing they say is believed and in various degrees depending on your viewpoint, they are universally hated.

We have been branded the worst run club in the Premier League, they seem intent on rinsing every last penny out of all of us while promising big name signings but producing nothing but an injury-hit, depleted squad.

You can tell the players have had enough now. The African lads have needed to be calmed down by David Moyes over the Tony Henry stuff. Others have voiced their concerns about the lack of transfer activity and the bad headlines, and now Karren Brady has been blamed for us missing out of a transfer because Leicester wouldn't deal with us after some insult or other from her Sun column.

One of our players rubbed his fingers together in a 'money,money' sign in front of our fans at Brighton. The dissatisfaction has now reached the dressing room, and that is serious. Not helped by some leak or other which questions Moyes' involvement after this season. The club have tried to knock this down, but someone sure knows how to undermine people.

This does back up a piece of information I acquired from a long-term friend, a former international now in coaching with a contacts book Sullivan would die for. A couple of weeks ago we met on a cold station platform, not quiet Brief Encounter, but you get the gist.

He immediately informed me that one Premier League club was already lining up Moyes to take over next season, such has his stock risen after the first few months knocking us into shape. But why would he want to stay after the recent transfer window shambles, and the fact that people were being briefed that some of it was his fault?

But our owners are still smug enough to say daft things like David Sullivan did recently…"There is no point" in marches, singing "sack the board " or attacking the two owners.

He doesn't get it, does he? He thinks because he is the majority shareholder and owner, that he can do and say what he wants. But it's not like that, is it? When people have no other form of protest, they are at the end of their tether, then marches and songs are their only weapons.

Because our current board are intent on not listening, not being moved, not seemingly caring about the rank and file.

And that's why the end game is approaching. Up until now the opposition has been muted, controlled, dignified, respectful. The SAB and various fans' groups have been manipulated and controlled. The excellently run Independent Supporter Association has been rightly intent on being professional, responsible and articulate.

But even they are being held at arms length at times, patronised even. But now things are changing, it is the hardcore support, the working class boys, the true rank and file who represent generations of ordinary people from the East End, east London and now the Essex suburbs.

I call them the Estuary fans, the folk who have moved generation after generation, out of the poverty of the East End and down the estuary to the sea, where they have bettered their families, given them a chance in life.

Much like my father did for me, although his move was to West London to escape the Blitz (bombed out twice he decided Hitler wouldn't miss a third time and that would be the end of him, and clearly me!)

I have relatives in Stanford-le-Hope, Thundersley, Benfleet, Canvey, Leigh and Southend. None of their kids are Cockneys or were born in east London. But they are Hammers to the core, and they don't like being taken for a ride.

They have all had enough of the Sullivan empire. They are salt of the earth folk, they see things very simply at times, they don't like cheats, conmen, sharp mega-rich people. And that's what they see now running their club.

Andy Swallow and his pals have hit on a rich vein of defiance, anger and a desire to redress a worsening situation. My colleague Graeme Howlett produced an excellent, informative interview with Andy recently, and I genuinely wish him and his crowd well.

They have our club at heart, a bit rough around the edges, but loyal and passionate. I had a length chat on the phone recently with an old friend who understood the objectives but waffled on about too much use of the 'C' word, too many spelling mistakes in the blogs and postings from the Real West Ham Fans Action Group. He reckoned it signified a rather unintelligent rabble.

Bit harsh that, was my reply. I was dumped out of school at 16, only rich kids went into the Sixth Form or to university. My education was far from brilliant, but I made a living from the written word, I blagged it for over 50 years and was grateful when spell-check arrived.

But I am entitled to an opinion and I defy anyone to doubt the belief and passion of Andy and the boys. Just as I resent any doubting if my heritage, where my family if not me, come from, whether I can spell or not. As for the ICF stuff, come one everyone, that was over 40 years ago, they are reformed, tubby, balding, pussy cats now!

My position in all of this is that I have never been a fan of the owners, I have too many friends and former colleagues in Birmingham to have ever wanted to see Sullivan, David Gold and their 'employee' Karren Brady, running my club.

But I am also a realist. A writer not a fighter. I also understand that UEFA and the Premier League rules stops people just throwing vast riches at a problem, even Manchester City have limitations to adhere to, as Pep Guardiola commented on when he insisted that City could not compete with Manchester United for Alexis Sanchez.

Because of the job I had, I think I understand big time football, its finances and why and how people like Sullivan get to own Premier League clubs like ours. And I don't like how they have made their money, it taints us just like it tainted Birmingham.

I have a good friend who used to be on their staff at St. Andrews, and he used to get plenty of stick from his mates about being paid with dirty porn money. When he finally left the club he told me he felt clean at last, not tainted by the porn empire that helped to pay his wages. But I don't put that forward as a main point of opposition. It's just my view, take it of leave it.

No, I think Sullivan reckons this opposition from the hardcore will melt away. I think not, it has 14,000 members and raised £25,000 in a week to fund the march and their activities. And people are angry, particularly after this last week that has also been the final straw for me.

Two things.. Sullivan's patronising "no point" attitude put over by his tame lap dog Jim White. But before that Tony Henry 'racist' stuff, that broke on the night of our failed transfer window, and all but broke my heart too.

I must admit it rocked me. I sat I silence for a couple of hours that night in shocked disbelief that my club had such sickening racist attachment. It went against everything I stand for, politically and culturally.

And I was proud of our fans, this website with its championing of our former black stars, the WHUISA lads for their immediate condemnation, the RWHFAG for holding an emergency meeting and utterly condemning Henry's behaviour.

I find it hard not to believe that someone further up the food chain didn't know about this. Henry used the word "we" and hopefully the FA will get to the bottom of it. The RWHFAG boys came up with a slogan, 'the only colours that matter are claret and blue.' Says it all.

On the TalkSport issue, I am really surprised that people even listen to a crap, shock jock station that is outlandish and offensive just to cause a reaction, to get people to ring in and then listen to their adverts.

TalkSport is owned by the Sun, it was sold to Rupert Murdoch by the deeply unpleasant former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie who founded it and got £83m from the sale to News Corp. The hideous Jim White, the Ron Manager of radio and TV, works for Sky and TalkSport. Both from the same Murdoch stable.

Karren Brady works for the Sun and Murdoch. Need I go on? Don't listen, don't ring in, don't bite back. Turn them off.

So how do we get rid of the board, even if we cannot shift the owners, who are the same thing? Well, they won't sell up until they can get a good price and are clear of the taxation an early sale will generate.

You wonder, though how much money these people actually need. Sullivan is a billionaire, Gold not far short of it. Brady doesn't count, she's an employee even if she has salted away over £80m from her various jobs.

Lets say they can generate a sale of around £500m, which will also get them their shareholder loans paid too. If that deal is after March 2018 they would face 20 per cent tax. If they wait until after 2023 they will pay nothing.

Now 20 per cent of £500m is £100m and that would leave them £400m to be split two ways. Isn't £200m each enough? Ffs. Go now, go in 2018 or go in 2023, many don't care as long as you go, even if it means the taxman getting a few bob more.

And I have finally lost patience with the theory that S&G saved us with their own money. Now my elementary maths comes up with this. They bought Birmingham out of administration, I believe, for £700,000 in March '93. To rich guys, split half each, is little more than 'walking around money'.

A phrase I loved from the Jersey Boys film when Frankie Valli and his mates were shifting stolen booze for the Mob in New York, and paid cash in hand…they called in 'walking around money' instead of a real job. Sorry, I like that story.

S and G then found a mug punter, money launderer Carson Yeung from Hong Kong who bought them out for £81.5m in 2009.

A year later S&G bought 50 per cent of West Ham for around £40m. They spent two more trenches of cash, £8m and £3m in following years to acquire 13.8 per cent more. In July 2013 they spent £20m on 25 per cent more. That's still less that Yeung gave them for Birmingham. So whose money have they actually used to buy West Ham?

Last year they allowed the Yank, Mr 10 per cent J.Albert Smith to buy the Icelandic lot's 10 per cent. Which could easily have cost him £49m. Some of this may be a bit off the mark, but the theory is there, how much have their spent of their own money, and I don't count what is now around £60m of loans that they will get back at over three per cent in 2020.

Sorry that was so long-winded. It has been bugging me for a while, every time I hear someone saw how grateful we should be to the Dildo brothers.

So, march ladies and gentlemen, make your point, please no violence or the media will be all over us. Let Sullivan and Gold know they are no longer wanted. And they do know that they will never be loved.

If you won't go quietly and quickly? Put in a new board to run the club, professionals, but without your involvement. Get a director of football to run the transfers, take a leaf out of the books of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United who all have boards with a director representing the owners and the rest trusted to run the club.

Keep at arms length. Take your money, the proceeds of your business empires and push off to the sunshine like Joe Lewis does at Spurs. Leave us alone, leave us to run our own club, but please go, just go.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.

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Antonio backing 'ox' Hugill
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th February 2018
By: Staff Writer

Michail Antonio has backed recent arrivals Joao Mario and Jordan Hugill to be a success at West Ham.

Antonio, who himself made the successful transition from Championship to Premier League in 2015 after arriving at West Ham in a £7million switch from Nottingham Forest believes that 25-year-old Hugill - who cost just a fraction more - can be a big hit with Hammers fans.

And he also welcomed the transfer window capture of Poertuguese international midfielder Joao Mario, who arrived on loan from Inter during January. "I'm very impressed with him," said Antonio. "He's a very technical player with nice flair and his awareness is unbelievable. "I've not trained much with Jordan, but he came on on Saturday and looked like an ox! I've never seen anyone deal with Shane Duffy the way he just put him in his place. They are two great signings. "People talk about the Championship as if it is a foreign world, but there are very technical players down there who have quality. It's a very physical game so being able to deal with the physicality down there, you can definitely deal with the physicality of the Prem." Antonio is currently working his way back to full fitness after several weeks on the sidelines recovering from injury. He featured as a second half substitute at Brighton and should be ready to start against Watford this weekend.

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Patrice Evra interesting West Ham after three months as free agent
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 06/02/18 7:14pm
SSN

West Ham are interested in signing free agent Patrice Evra, according to Sky sources The former Manchester United left-back was sacked by Marseille earlier this season and banned for European club games by UEFA following an altercation with a supporter.

The former France captain was sent off before Marseille's Europa League defeat against Vitoria on November 2 last year, after lashing out at a supporter who Evra claimed was abusing him. UEFA charged the 36-year-old under article 15 of their disciplinary regulations, which deals with the misconduct of players, banning him from their club competitions until June 2018. Since he was dismissed by Marseille, Evra has posted regular social media updates of himself training to keep up his fitness, as well as spending time in the Middle East. Evra had joined Marseille in January last year, also on a free transfer, signing an 18-month contract after ending a two-and-a-half-year stint at Juventus. With Manchester United, the defender made 379 appearances and scored three goals in nine seasons in which he won five Premier League titles, the 2009 Champions League, three League Cups, five Community Shields and the FIFA Club World Cup.

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West Ham reiterate David Moyes contract position as rumours over future continue
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 06/02/18 6:36pm
SSN

West Ham have "categorically refuted" claims David Moyes is unlikely to remain at the club next season even if they stay in the Premier League. The club issued a statement on Tuesday morning after reports that they were already thinking about a long-term replacement for Moyes, who took over from Slaven Bilic in November. The Scotsman has guided West Ham up to 12th place but they are still only three points above the relegation zone with 12 games remaining. And a West Ham spokesman told Sky Sports News nothing had changed in terms of their long-term management situation. The spokesman said: "The club would like to place on record that it categorically refutes the claims made by the Daily Telegraph regarding manager David Moyes. "There is absolutely no truth whatsoever to this story. As previously stated on a number of occasions, the club and David Moyes agreed a deal until the end of the 2017/18 season, at which point both parties will sit down and discuss the future. "Until then, the board and David Moyes will continue to work closely together with the manager having full responsibility of footballing matters and the full support of the board. "Everyone's sole focus is on trying to achieve results for West Ham United."

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West Ham in talks to sign Patrice Evra in shock deal as David Moyes seeks to further bolster Hammers' squad
The 36-year-old defender worked at Manchester United with Moyes during the Scot's ill-fated spell at Old Trafford
The Mirror
ByAlex Richards
Sports Writer
18:51, 6 FEB 2018

West Ham United are in talks to sign Patrice Evra on a free transfer, in a bid to bolster David Moyes' injury-ravaged squad. The Hammers have lost a number of key men to injury recently, including record-signing Marko Arnautovic, playmaker Manuel Lanzini and have seen Italian midfielder Pedro Obiang undergo surgery. With Arthur Masuaku also serving a suspension following his FA Cup spit shame, Moyes has moved to strengthen the left side of his defence after the weekend's 3-1 loss to Brighton. Moyes was forced to use Aaron Cresswell as a left wing-back at the Amex in Masuaku's absence, but prefers the ex-Ipswich defender in the left side of three centre-halves. Evra, 36, will challenge Masuaku as the club's first choice in the wing-back role. He worked with Moyes during his ill-fated stint as Manchester United manager and is available on a free transfer after leaving Marseille in November.
The Frenchman has recently been in Dubai, but has been keeping himself fit throughout his three-month spell out of the game. The ex-Monaco and Juventus full-back left the French club by mutual consent after karate-kicking one of his side's own fans ahead of a Europa League group game against Vitoria Guimaraes. Evra had been jeered by a section of the club's support as he warmed up before the 1-0 defeat to the Portuguese side and had initially gone to talk to fans before the situation escalated. He was fined 10,000 euros (£8,829) and also handed a European ban until the end of the season. However, he is eligible to play in the Premier League.

Evra held talks with Hammers' chiefs on Tuesday, and is expected to sign a short-term deal until the end of the campaign, with the option to extend in the summer. He spent eight years at Old Trafford before leaving in 2014, winning the Premier League on five occasions. West Ham have also released a statement insisting they are continuing to back Moyes, and that no decision over his future will be made past the end of the season. "As previously stated on a number of occasions, the Club and David Moyes agreed a deal until the end of the 2017/18 season, at which point both parties will sit down and discuss the future. "Until then, the Board and David Moyes will continue to work closely together with the Manager having full responsibility of footballing matters and the full support of the Board. Everyone's sole focus is on trying to achieve results for West Ham United."

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