David Moyes has been handed a big potential boost ahead of West Ham United's hugely important home clash against Nottingham Forest this weekend, with reports suggesting that Lucas Paqueta could be back fit.

Could Paqueta be fit against Nottingham Forest?

The Brazilian midfielder was forced off with a shoulder injury in the Hammers' recent draw against Chelsea and wasn't fit to feature against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

The Irons certainly missed his influence and creativity in midfield as they slipped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in north London, which leaves them in the relegation places despite an upturn in form in the early weeks of 2023.

Saturday represents a must-win game for Moyes if he wants to keep his job at the London Stadium, amid reports earlier in the week that he could be sacked if his team are defeated. He will duly be delighted if summer signing Paqueta is back fit, with Claret and Hugh suggesting that there are high hopes that the former Lyon ace will have recovered in plenty of time to feature against Steve Cooper's side.

Could Paqueta save Moyes' job at West Ham?

After a mixed start to life at the London Stadium, Paqueta has started to show just why the Hammers spent £51m to sign him during last summer's transfer window.

The 25-year-old caught the eye at the World Cup with Brazil and has returned to London in confident mood, scoring against Leeds United and Newcastle United recently, with WhoScored awarding him a strong 6.80 rating for his performances in the Premier League.

This ranks him as the second-best performer in Moyes' squad behind Declan Rice, so it is clear just how important he is to the Irons, and how much of a boost it is to have him back fit for the relegation six-pointer this weekend.

West Ham's main problem this season has been scoring goals, with only Everton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves scoring fewer in the Premier League. Paqueta definitely adds an attacking threat when he is on the pitch, ranking first for shots per game, fifth for key passes per game and fourth for dribbles per game in the Hammers' squad.

Peter Bosz, the 25-year-old's former manager at Lyon, was full of praise for the Brazilian's ability going forward last season, saying after one match: “Lucas played an amazing game, he was very strong with and without the ball. An extraordinary match, like the other players. Lucas was extraordinary, it must be said."

If Paqueta can produce a similar performance on Saturday against Forest, then it will almost certainly increase West Ham's chances of picking up a hugely important three points in their relegation battle, which could just prove enough to keep Moyes in a job at the London Stadium for the time being.