West Ham United manager David Moyes has claimed Mohammed Kudus is 'very close' to being handed a first Premier League start since joining the club.

The Ghana international has yet to start a game in the league for the Hammers since his arrival from Ajax during the summer transfer window.

Kudus has made five appearances off the bench following the move and came on as a substitute in West Ham's last game before the international break to snatch a point for them against Newcastle United.

The 23-year-old netted his first Premier League goal against the Magpies and there have been calls for him to be given more minutes in the top flight.

"He is very close to playing," he said at his presser on Friday. "But to be fair to him, he was close when he arrived. Sometimes players come in at different levels of fitness and you need time to figure out where they are at, but Mo could play now and he has been playing," added Moyes.

"He’s been playing for Ghana and he came off the bench [against Newcastle] and made a brilliant impact for us, and that’s what we need. We need more than eleven players. We need a group of players who, when called on, can make a difference."

Kudus will hope that opportunity arrives when West Ham play Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday away from home.

While he is yet to start a league game for West Ham, Kudus has netted two goals in two starts in the UEFA Europa League for the club.