MOYES: NOBLE’S OUR IRON MAN

DAVID MOYES insists Mark Noble remains a key figure at West Ham – on and off the pitch.

The Irons skipper, 33, is in his 17th year as a senior professional with his beloved claret and blues.

But he has managed only 71 minutes of Premier League action this season, mainly because of the superb form of current Hammers central midfielders, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.

Moyes said: “I keep saying to people not to think Mark isn’t going to be used again. At the moment, Declan and Tomas are playing really well, but, if we have an injury, a suspension or anything else, then Mark will be there because we value him that much.

“After lockdown last season, Michail Antonio took all the attention because of his goals keeping us up.

“But the responsibility Mark took and showed on the pitch was fantastic. So, he played a massive part in that too.” If frustrated by his limited opportunities, Noble is refusing to show it by kicking up a fuss behind the scenes.

Moyes, in his second stint at the Hammers’ helm, added: “Mark’s been brilliant since I came back in.

“He’s really helped me around the club as well as being incredibly helpful on the pitch.

“He’s a really good influence as far as showing his leadership and taking responsibility – such as being prepared to take the ball under pressure, even when not playing well.

He shows the team is more re important than the individual. dual.

“He passes on those parts arts of the game and also that there’s here’s a big responsibility being a captain off the pitch.

“He knows he needs to be looking after all the players. rs. He leads by example in the way he trains every day.

“He’s always showing everyone here that they can be better.”

HELP Mark Noble