DAVID MOYES admitted an injury crisis has forced him to reassess his transfer targets.
The Hammers — who are missing THIRTEEN players for tonight’s relegation crunch with Crystal Palace — are closing on a double deal for Fedor Smolov and Morgan Schneiderlin.
Everton’s French midfielder Schneiderlin, 28, is in talks over a loan deal with a view to a £20million summer switch.
He is needed as a replacement for crock Pedro Obiang, who is set to miss the rest of the season with medial ligament damage suffered in the FA Cup humbling at Wigan.
Russia skipper Smolov, 27, is aiming to seal a £12m move from Krasnodar.
The striker would make up for the loss of Diafra Sakho, who moved to Rennes yesterday for £8m.
Boss Moyes said: “Injuries do affect our dealings in the window. It has changed the dynamics of where we want to go. Schneiderlin is one of many names that have been mentioned.
“Ultimately we are short right now so we could do with adding to our squad.
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“The priority is to add good players to your squad. I’m not going to bring in anyone that won’t help the team, it’s a waste of money and time.
“We want to bring people in who can contribute between now and the end of the season, if not longer.”
West Ham are four points above the relegation zone and can give themselves some much-needed breathing space with a win at the London Stadium tonight.
Palace are a point behind the Hammers and looking to get away from what promises to be a huge relegation dogfight involving up to 12 clubs.
Moyes added: “We have moved ourselves out from the bottom three, got ourselves up the table and the job is to stay up there.
“It will be a tough game for us, but a tough game for them.”
The Hammers will be without Arthur Masuaku for the next six matches.
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The wing-back yesterday copped a stiff FA ban after being sent off for spitting at Wigan’s Nick Powell on Saturday.
Moyes said: “I spoke to him about it. He was very remorseful. But it was a terrible thing he did.
“Everybody knows in our culture it’s not acceptable and he has got what he deserves.”
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