Danny Ings gets West Ham backing but few promises from David Moyes over his future

The striker has only played 33 minutes of league football off the bench this season but David Moyes says he continues to value 31-year-old highly before campaign resumes with trip to Villa Park

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY – OCTOBER 05: Danny Ings of West Ham United gestures during the UEFA Europa League match between Sport-Club Freiburg and West Ham United at Europa-Park Stadion on October 05, 2023 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

Danny Ings returns to Aston Villa this afternoon with little chance of more than a few minutes off the West Ham bench but David Moyes insists he remains a vital part of the dressing room and will be needed as the season progresses.

The 31-year-old striker has accumulated only 33 minutes off the bench in the league so far and Moyes says he could understand if that is a source of frustration.

Ings produced a vital cameo in a win over Nottingham Forest last season when the team were at risk of being dragged into a relegation battle but he has found opportunities limited behind first-choice Michail Antonio and with Jarrod Bowen among the wide players being looked at for central roles.

Yet Moyes says he remains a big fan. “The biggest thing for Danny is he’s really valuable to me because of what he can offer,” the Scot said before their visit to the Midlands. “He’s a centre forward who knows his trade, he knows how to score. He got me two really important goals against Notts Forest last season and really helped us in a period when we were in trouble.

“I still feel Danny will still help me as the season goes on. It’s been a little bit tough for him because he’s maybe not quite had as much minutes as he’d like. He probably wants a bit more. I like him a lot and hopefully he’ll help us going forward.”

And Moyes also values his worth in the dressing room, while stressing the importance of the three-times England international being ready to deliver when called upon.

“He’s a great boy and I’m sure everyone at Aston Villa would say the same. As would Liverpool, Burnley and all the football clubs he’s been at before.

“He’s a great lad and we want to try and give him opportunities but we want him to get goals. That’s what he does. His career suggests he’s been a really good goalscorer.”

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West Ham have no fresh injury concerns after the international break. Full backs Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell remain out of contention but both have resumed training in recent days as they recover from injuries.

They could be unchanged from the XI that started the draw against Newcastle a fortnight ago, although Edson Alvarez was late returning from international duty with Mexico.

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