Aaron Cresswell friendly performance could provide route back into West Ham United side for forgotten man
Aaron Cresswell could have earned himself a place back in the West Ham side in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Ipswich Town on Thursday (7 September).
The East Anglian Daily Times reported on 7 September that the 33-year-old scored a free-kick as his side drew 1-1 with the Championship outfit.
It said the English left-back, who was heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium over the summer, was joined in the side by Lukasz Fabianski, Danny Ings and free agent Jesse Lingard.
It looked as though Cresswell was a certainty to secure a move away during the transfer window, with Wolves and Nottingham Forest being credited with an interest in him.
The Wanderers saw a bid worth up to £2.5million turned down for the defender, as West Ham valued him at closer to £5million.
He was believed to have been disappointed not to have been granted a move away from the club as he was looking for a fresh start and the opportunity to earn more first-team minutes.
He may have arrived at that decision after he was snubbed in favour of Emerson in the Europa Conference League final victory over Fiorentina by David Moyes despite being heavily involved throughout the competition.
It came as a surprise to many to learn that the left-back was so desperate to leave after nine years at the club, having rather coincidentally signed from Ipswich in 2014.
Despite being one of just two recognised first-team players at the club in his position – alongside Emerson – he was left out of the opening-day draw at Bournemouth.
He has been included in the three matchday squads since his exclusion, but he is yet to play a single minute for the Irons so far this season.
Perhaps his goal in the friendly against the Tractor Boys on Thursday will give Cresswell the confidence that he can continue to fight for a place in the lineup and give Moyes something to think about.
With the games coming thick and fast after the international break, as the Hammers will be getting their third consecutive European campaign underway, a return to the side may be just around the corner for the forgotten man.
In other West Ham news, an update has been provided on one star’s fitness following an injury concern.