West Ham have been handed an injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League action today...

What's the latest?

According to football.london, rarely-seen left-back Arthur Masuaku returned to first-team training earlier this week, making him available for the Irons' trip to Southampton this afternoon.

The 27-year-old defender has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons and has made only two first-team appearances in 2021. He played three times for the under-21s so far this campaign in a bid to get up his match fitness and now he could be back involved this weekend.

Masuaku has been seen in pictures at their Rush Green training base.

Speaking about his chances of an imminent return prior to their last game, manager David Moyes told reporters: "We are still waiting on Arthur Masuaku to come back but he has a better chance after the international break."

Boost

This is a nice boost for Moyes as it gives him plenty of options to consider in the coming weeks. Masuaku can now provide valuable backup to Aaron Cresswell, especially if the latter is in need of rest with a hectic schedule ahead, and he can also play in the same side when Moyes opts for a back-three.

Masuaku was actually a regular at the beginning of the 2020/21 season, starting ten of their 11 opening games at left wing-back before a knee injury curtailed his campaign. He then missed most of the rest of the year after having surgery.

Despite hardly being seen in 2020/21, the DR Congo international still provided two assists from 12 starts and also topped the squad for dribbles per game (2.4), via WhoScored, which suggests that he's a very effective and influential cog in Moyes' system.

Whether he starts today remains to be seen, but either way, the 58-year-old will certainly be buoyed by this latest update; and on the above evidence, Masuaku will surely play a big part as the season rumbles on.

AND in other news, West Ham keeping tabs on key David Moyes transfer target ahead of January...