West Ham midfielder Cullen discusses January loan talks with Moyes

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Josh Cullen returned to West Ham in January after being loaned to Bolton.

West Ham United academy graduate Josh Cullen has told the club’s official website that he held talks with manager David Moyes in regards to leaving on loan in January, but an agreement was met for the midfielder to remain at the club.

Cullen, 21, had been loaned to Bolton Wanderers earlier for the entire season last summer but was recalled by Moyes in the January transfer window in order for the Scottish boss to have a look at the Hammers midfielder.

There was an option for the Ireland Under-21 international to return to the Championship side for the second half of the season, but he remained at the London Stadium while Reece Burke, Reece Oxford and Toni Martinez left on loan.

Cullen featured in all three FA Cup games, including the 2-0 loss to Wigan Athletic, and has since been on the bench in six of West Ham’s last seven Premier League matches. He opened up on talks with Moyes about another January loan.

“I had a couple of conversations with the gaffer about what was best for me and we came to the decision that it was best for me to stay here, and I was up for that challenge,” Cullen said.

“I never for one minute thought that I would stay and go straight into the first team, but I’m up for the fight and hopefully, as time goes on, I can keep impressing him in training.

“It was a good sign that he wanted to keep me around, so hopefully I can keep developing and hopefully my chance will come and, when it comes, I can take it.”

Cullen remains behind captain Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate in the midfield pecking order, with Edimilson Fernandes and Pedro Obiang remaining on the sidelines due to long-term injuries.

The Hammers tried desperately to add another central midfielder to their squad in January, being repeatedly linked with the likes of Leander Dendoncker, Tom Cairney and Jonjo Shelvey – but a transfer failed to materialise.

Cullen is now expected to be a part of Moyes’ 18-man squad that play host to Sean Dyche’s Burnley on Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium, as the Hammers look to put a dismal 4-1 loss to Swansea City behind them.