Free agent Jesse Lingard has been pictured training with West Ham ahead of their Europa League clash against Backa Topola as the England international looks to earn a short-term contract with the Hammers.

Lingard was released by Nottingham Forest this summer, less than a year after he joined the club and became their top earner – and the player has since been training with the Hammers.

He was pictured being put through his paces with the rest of the squad as they prepare for the start of their Europa League campaign – having won the UEFA Conference League last season. 

Moyes refused to rule out a free transfer for Lingard when he discused the player’s future in his press conference last week.

Jesse Lingard was pictured in training with West Ham as he bids to earn a short-term deal

The England star was put through his paces ahead of the club’s Europa League clash against Backa Topola this week

‘Jesse has trained with us for three weeks and he’s improved greatly from when he first came in,’ Moyes told talkSPORT on Tuesday. 

‘He’s in really good condition – much better condition than he was when he first came in.

‘I have to say, when Jesse joined us two years ago I think he scored nine goals in 15 games and was probably the difference between us getting into Europe for the first time.

‘I want to give him every opportunity to get himself back in condition and see how he does.

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‘So there’s no real update on it at the moment, just to say that he’s back and getting much closer to the levels of fitness where you’d hope he would be.’

Lingard is hoping to continue impressing David Moyes and sign on a free transfer

The 30-year-old featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Ipswich during the international break, although no footage was released from the fixture as a result of a pre-determined agreement between the two clubs.

He had a disappointing spell at the City Ground after joining Steve Cooper’s side on a one-year contract.

Lingard failed to score or provide an assist in 17 Premier League appearances for Forest.

The midfielder featured just three times in the league since January, with two coming as fleeting substitute appearances.

Lingard had opted to join Forest over West Ham last summer, after being offered a more lucrative package that was believed to be worth £200,000 per-week.

This led to a badly-tempered game last August between the clubs at the City Ground when Hammers supporters threw fake £50 notes at Lingard.