West Ham boss David Moyes is ready to go back to Sunderland in January to boost his defence.

The Mirror says West Ham were keen on defender Lamine Kone during the summer following the Black Cats' relegation — under Moyes' management.

Kone was, however, key to helping the Wearside club to stay up two seasons ago when ex-Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was in charge.

He would now be available for a cut-price fee with managerless Sunderland bottom of the Championship.

For the moment, Kone is facing six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.