David Moyes wants to give Jesse Lingard ‘a real opportunity’ as the free agent continues to train with West Ham in an attempt to earn a contract with the club.
The 30-year-old left Nottngham Forest at the end of last season after an entirely forgettable year with the club, making just 17 Premier League appearances and scoring no goals.
The England international was linked with moves to the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer but it now looks most likely that he will continue his career in the English top flight.
The former Manchester United man has been training with the Hammers having enjoyed a superb loan spell with the club in 2021, when he shone on a short-term move from the Red Devils.
Moyes was his manager then and he intends to give Lingard as much opportunity as possible to get his fitness up to scratch and potentially rediscover that form.
‘Jesse’s trained with us for three weeks and he’s improved greatly from where he fist came in,’ Moyes told talkSPORT. ‘He’s in much better condition, really good condition.
‘Jesse joined us a couple of years ago and he scored 10 goals in 15 games, I think [Lingard scord nine in 16 during his 2021 loan spell]. He was probably the difference for us getting into Europe for the first time.
‘I want to give him a real opportunity to get back into condition and see how he does.
‘There’s no real update on it at the moment, but he’s back and getting much closer to levels of fitness where you would hope he would be.’
Lingard is a free agent so is available to be signed outside of the transfer window and West Ham may well be tempted to boost their squad as they face a busy Europa League campaign ahead.
The Hammers return to Premier League action on 16 September against Manchester City at the London Stadium.
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