West Ham United manager David Moyes has confirmed that centre-back Craig Dawson will not be involved in Saturday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Hammers are open to offers for centre-back Dawson this month, with the defender keen to leave the club and move closer to the north west. Wolves have made a bid for Dawson, which West Ham are yet to respond to.
The bid comes on the eve of the game and Moyes has said that Dawson will not play at Molineux on Saturday amid speculation surrounding his future.
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“No he won't be available tomorrow,” said Moyes.
West Ham’s Scottish boss was later asked whether Dawson was not involved due to injury or illness, to which Moyes denied, adding that he does not have much else to say other than the fact that Wolves have bid to sign Dawson, having missed out in the summer.
“ No I didn’t say that, I said that he is not available tomorrow,” explained Moyes.
“At the moment we have had an offer. We don’t have an awful lot to say about it at the moment. Most of you probably know the rest of the story behind it all so I don’t need to repeat that.”
Dawson has been a regular for West Ham whenever he has been available this season, despite expressing his desire to depart the club, both in the summer and in this window.
The former West Bromwich Albion centre-back has started eight of the last 11 matches in the Premier League, only missing the three games against Southampton, Liverpool and Bournemouth in that run due to a hamstring issue.
With West Ham having a long list of various injury issues at centre-back this season, Dawson’s absence to face Wolves comes at a disruptive time, with the Hammers currently trying to steer themselves clear of the relegation zone.
Asked if the timing of Wolves’ bid was “destabilising,” Moyes agreed that it was, but admits it is something that is part and parcel of the January transfer window, joking that he will try and sign one of Wolves’ players after the game.
“By the way, it is, yeah. I agree,” added Moyes. “But let's be fair, Wolves have tried to buy Daws in the summer and we said no at that time.
“It’s just part of what you do. I might bid for one of theirs after the game! See how it goes.”
Dawson has made 87 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions since his arrival, scoring nine goals. He was also named in last season's Europa League Team of the Season, having helped Moyes' side reach the semi-finals of the competition.
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