Midfielder Cullen was linked with a loan move away from West Ham in January.
David Moyes could be about to give Josh Cullen a chance to shine in the West Ham United first team after decided to keep the midfielder at the London Stadium – while Reece Burke returned to Bolton Wanderers on loan.
The duo spent the first half of the season on loan with Bolton, but returned to West Ham in January in order for new manager Moyes to have a look at both players before considering how to use them in the second half of 2017-18.
Defender Burke, 21, rejoined Bolton on deadline day but Cullen has remained at the London Stadium and the Hammers failure to sign a central midfielder could now see the Hammers’ number 33 given a chance to impress at senior level.
Cullen, also 21, will have caught the eye following his return to the Hammers after having a tooth knocked out during the FA Cup clash against Shrewsbury Town.
Manager Moyes will have been impressed with his gritty determination that saw him continue to play during the 0-0 draw, and then feature for the entire 120 minutes of the replay just a week later.
Cullen has remained an unused substitute in the Hammers’ last three Premier League matches and it appears that Moyes has kept the 13-time Ireland Under-21 international, rather than loan him out.
Now, with Pedro Obiang suffering a long-term knee injury and the Hammers failing to sign a midfielder despite being linked with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Leander Dendoncker and Tom Cairney, Cullen is one of three fit central midfielders.
Only Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble offer competition, and that could surely see Cullen given a proper run in the first team with Edimilson Fernandes also sidelined. It is time for Cullen to show just how good he can be.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
