Scott McTominay would "thrive" under David Moyes and West Ham are likely to be back in for the midfielder in January, according to Stan Collymore.

The pundit wrote in his Caught Offside column on 20 October that amid links to replacing Sandro Tonali at Eddie Howe's Newcastle it would make more sense for the Magpies to sign Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips.

Collymore is convinced that McTominay is instead the right sort of player for his compatriot in charge of the Hammers and expects another attempt to sign him, although he questioned whether the PS30million that was on offer for the Manchester United man in the summer would still be available.

Collymore said: "As for McTominay, it seems unlikely he'll ever become a regular at Old Trafford under Erik Ten Hag, and he would certainly be the type of player who could fit Howe's high-work rate system, but I have a sneaky feeling David Moyes and West Ham will be back again in the New Year for him.

"McTominay would thrive under Moyes; I am sure of it - can United get a PS30 million, or higher, offer again though? - We'll have to see."

Second time lucky?

Moyes spent much of the summer being frustrated by Manchester United in his attempts to sign McTominay and Harry Maguire.

With James Ward-Prowse and Konstantinos Mavropanos ultimately signed instead, and a strong start to the campaign featuring the former Southampton captain as key, he likely isn't feeling too disappointed now.

The Hammers midfield has been solid with Tomas Soucek also seeing a resurgence in form, even if Edson Alvarez has arguably adapted slower to the side.

So perhaps Moyes won't feel the need to spend big money on another midfielder in January, but if the Scottish international continues to be in and out of the team under Ten Hag the temptation could be there.

McTominay often proves to be a star for his country, and produced a match-winning performance off the bench to beat Brentford last time out at Old Trafford, but used sporadically in Manchester, and usually as a holding midfielder, he seems to need a move at his age - 26.

But West Ham being interested in resurrecting the deal may depend on members of the current squad, with Lucas Paqueta's future open to question after he came close to leaving to the Etihad before his own betting investigation came to light.

In other West Ham news, the Irons are also now on the trail of an international in the midst of a "simply perfect" campaign.

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