West Ham could receive huge injury boost – and it might just save David Moyes

It wasn't long ago that David Moyes was set for a new West Ham contract.

Having guided the Hammers to silverware for the first time in 43 years last June, European success masked what was a dreary domestic campaign.

Nevertheless, a trophy earned Moyes a stay of execution. He had entered the final year of his current London Stadium deal and having been backed in the transfer market, a strong start to the season meant a new two-and-a-half year contract was in the offing.

A cataclysmic downturn in fortunes has put talks of a new deal on ice. West Ham are yet to win a competitive match this year.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Bristol City and have picked up just three points across five games.

On Sunday, they were smashed 6-0 at home by Arsenal. The shots of supporters heading home at half time will live long in the memory.

The 2-0 win at Arsenal to see out 2023 seemed to be a turning point for West Ham, and for all the wrong reasons.

Moyes has watched his side score just four goals in 2024, two of which were James Ward-Prowse penalties.

Injury to Michail Antonio may have derailed their campaign, but the Jamaican's absence proved a blessing. Indeed, Moyes was able to field an effective attacking trio of Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.

However, as is so often the case, bad things came in threes for West Ham.

Paqueta was forced off early on in the 2-0 win at Arsenal in December, and lasted just 14 minutes on his return to action in the FA Cup home draw with Bristol City last month.

Bowen also pulled up with an ankle knock that saw him miss the replay against the Robins, while Kudus only returned to action at the start of the month owing to his AFCON participation with Ghana.

It's the absence of