(Photo by Adam Davy/Pool via Getty Images)

By Hughie Southon

West Ham have been given a huge boost following  an early return to Rush Green by skipper Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta.

Neither were expected back at the club until the 23rd of the month but have both already been spotted on the training ground.

It’s great news for David Moyes who will need the strongest team he can possibly put together for the match at Highbury on Boxing Day evening.

Declan was even present in the stands as the Hammers drew with Fulham in the Craven Cottage friendly ion Saturday showing that despite all the speculation of his move away in the summer, he remains entirely dedicated to the Hammers cause.

And no doubt Paqueta will hope that his World Cup performances may prompt Moyes to use him in a different role to the central midfield position for which he has so far been slotted into.

Of the five Hammers involved in the Qatar, Germany defender Thilo Kehrer was the only one not to get past the group stage, with the remaining quartet all reaching the quarter-finals or further.