Jesse Lingard spotted training with West Ham United ahead of Europa League clash v Backa Topola
Jesse Lingard was spotted training with West Ham ahead of their Europa League meeting with Backa Topola, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported on its website on Wednesday (20 September) that the free agent is seeking to earn a short-term deal at the club.
The Hammers take on the Serbian outfit in their first group stage match at the London Stadium on Thursday (21 September).
“Free agent Jesse Lingard has been pictured training with West Ham ahead of their Europa League clash against Backa Topola as the England international looks to earn a short-term contract with the Hammers,” according to the Daily Mail.
“Lingard was released by Nottingham Forest this summer, less than a year after he joined the club and became their top earner – and the player has since been training with the Hammers.
“He was pictured being put through his paces with the rest of the squad as they prepare for the start of their Europa League campaign – having won the UEFA Conference League last season.”
Discussing the player in his Backa Topola pre-match press conference on Wednesday (20 September), Moyes said: “We’re keeping him training and he joined training today as well.”
Short-term deal on the cards?
It remains to be seen what Moyes has in plan for Lingard, who doesn’t exactly have the best reputation in East London, despite his superb loan spell there not so long ago.
Hammers supporters will not forget what he did for the club on the pitch during his temporary stay, but they also won’t forget his decision to move to Nottingham Forest shortly after, with a hefty pay package going his way.
Moyes won’t want to damage his reputation with supporters, having worked so hard to build it up over the years. Anyway, a decision may take some time given the club’s immediate focus, which is on their upcoming Europa League group stage clash with Backa Topola.
The Hammers will be keen to get their campaign off to the best possible start, particularly given how the match will be played in front of their own fans, in what is their first European game since their unforgettable Europa Conference League final win last season.
In other West Ham news, Moyes has confirmed a start for one Hammers player in their Europa League clash against Backa Topola.