West Ham United manager David Moyes has confirmed his interest in making Craig Dawson's loan from Watford a permanent switch.

The defender was allowed to leave on a temporary deal following the Hornets' drop into the Championship but is now a key figure for Moyes, who said the defender is “worthy” of a permanent move, as West Ham bid to reach the Champions League.

The 30-year-old centre-half joined the Hammers to little fanfare in October, but headed his fourth goal of the season last night to wrap up a 2-0 Premier League win over Leeds.

Dawson capped a man-of-the-match display by clearing a late goalbound deflection off Vladimir Coufal off the line.

Back in January The Watford Observer reported that the Irons were hopeful of making the deal a permanent one and, speaking after the win over Leeds, Hammers manager Moyes said that a deal had not yet been agreed, but that he was interested in pursuing it.

“We’re not there yet with a permanent deal but his performances and his attitude and determination are worthy of that anyway," he said.

Picture: PA

Picture: PA

“We brought him in and it took him a while to get starts but now he’s come in, his experience has been really important to us and he has been adding goals as well.”