West Ham United may no longer need to prioritise a defensive signing in January, if Kurt Zouma returns to first-team action ahead of schedule, according to a report.
The 27-year-old limped off with a hamstring injury against his former side Chelsea in December and was initially facing up to three months on the sidelines.
However, Football.London claims that Zouma is set to return before the end of this month, which David Moyes previously suggested could alter their transfer plans.
Speaking on New Year's Day, the Scotsman said: "A defender is in our priorities but if we get Kurt [Zouma] back quite quickly, it might alter it.
"Trying to get what we want and what we like and someone in is not easy, but if I can get someone in I will do, as I do not want to be left short again. It would only take one more injury and we are back to the same situation."
West Ham have been strongly linked with signing a striker to provide more competition for their only recognised centre-forward Michail Antonio, with the Hammers believed to be closely monitoring the likes of Flamengo's Gabriel Barbosa and Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick.
Moyes may still consider reinforcing his backline in January, though Zouma's early return will likely see West Ham push for an attacking addition before the January 31 deadline.
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