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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

West Ham set for Nayef Aguerd return boost before World Cup, David Moyes confirms: ‘He is getting closer’

Comeback close: Nayef Aguerd has yet to play a competitive match for West Ham due to injury

(Picture: Getty Images)

David Moyes is confident that Nayef Aguerd will return to action for West Ham before the World Cup, having been sidelined since pre-season.

The centre-back, a £28million summer signing from Rennes, is yet to make his full debut for the Hammers after suffering an ankle injury in a friendly against Rangers in July.

When fit, Aguerd is a regular starter for Morocco and looks to be winning his race to return in time to represent the African nation in Qatar.

“It’s really good news that Nayef is on his way back because we bought him in as a key player for us,” Moyes said, ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Liverpool. “He’s started training, not fully integrated yet, but is getting closer to playing.

“I think he’ll definitely feature before the World Cup.”

Moyes is facing a more immediate centre-back crisis, however, with Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson still doubts for the trip to Anfield after missing Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.

“Kurt has done a little bit of training but we don’t know if he’ll be right yet,” Moyes added. “Craig Dawson we’re not sure about, so not much change from where we were on Sunday.”

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