David Moyes has talked up the ability of £10m signing Jordan Hugill ahead of his likely West Ham United debut away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The 25-year-old completed a switch from Preston North End late on transfer deadline day and arrives at the London Stadium boasting eight goals in the second tier this term.
Moyes believes that much-travelled striker Hugill is now ready for the step-up in quality that the Premier League will provide, and has suggested that he will be thrown straight in for the trip to the Amex Stadium this weekend.
"Jordan will bring a bit of presence up front that we need, big energy, honesty," he told reporters at his pre-match presser. "I think in all clubs wherever you are you always look in the lower leagues. I have done it over the years, [Leighton] Baines, [Joleon] Lescott, I could name many more, [Tim] Cahill, all those players came with success.
"[Aaron] Cresswell here, [Michail] Antonio too from Ipswich and Nottingham Forest have both done well. I am hoping Hugill can have a big impact.
"I think he is ready, he can play. He won't let us down in terms of his effort and commitment I think it'll take a bit of time to get used to his new surroundings but hopefully he can help us in a period where we are a wee bit short of strikers."
Hugill was one of two signings made by West Ham during the winter window, along with Inter Milan loanee Joao Mario.
Daniel Lewis
