Daniel Lewis

Wed 20 September 2023 20:10, UK

Jesse Lingard is continuing to train with West Ham with a view to being handed a contract by the club.

However, after more than a month working on his fitness behind the scenes at Rush Green, Lingard’s situation is the same as it was on day one.

Speaking on Wednesday [20 September], David Moyes said there was no update regarding a permanent deal for the former Manchester United player.

“We’re keeping him training and he joined training today as well,” Moyes added at his pre-match news conference ahead of facing Backa Topola in the Europa League.

“But he’s certainly getting much more like the Jesse [of old] I think, in physical capabilities, than he was when we got him in four weeks ago.”

Those comments came on the back of Six Foot Two editor Sean Whetstone reporting that Lingard’s hopes of landing a deal are “diminishing”.

Moyes is now being asked for an update on the Englishman’s future at each news conference, and the answer is always the same.

If a decision was not made after a recent behind-closed-doors friendly, plus these additional couple of weeks, then surely it is time to cut all ties?

Allowing Lingard to train with the squad is doing no harm, assuming he is not on the wage bill, but there is only so long he can audition for a deal.

Besides, it is not like West Ham are in need of options in attacking midfield or out wide at this moment in time.

Jarrod Bowen, James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals are all ahead of Lingard.

We all have fond memories of Lingard in a West Ham shirt, but for both the club’s sake and his, it is surely now time to move on.

In other West Ham news, the Irons have reportedly made a decision on futures of two other players.