West Ham United boss David Moyes could enjoy the luxury of being able to rotate his back four if Angelo Ogbonna returns from injury ahead of schedule, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Kurt Zouma, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop make up the Hammers' current centre-half options, but it appears Ogbonna could come into contention before the season reaches its climax.

What's the latest news involving Ogbonna?

Ogbonna sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during West Ham's Premier League victory over Liverpool last November.

Moyes went on to claim the Italian would not feature again this term, but it now seems there is an outside chance that Ogbonna could return to the fray in the coming weeks.

Ogbonna took to social media to reveal he has stepped up his rehabilitation by returning to the gym at the back-end of last month.

According to the Evening Standard, Ogbonna is now looking to be back in action before the end of the Premier League campaign.

The report suggests the 6 ft 3 beast still has a long way to go before making a return, but there is confidence from those around him that being included in the squad prior to the final day of the season is a possibility.

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What has Pete O'Rourke said about Ogbonna?

O'Rourke believes Ogbonna returning to contention would come as a huge boost for West Ham.

With the Hammers still in the Europa League and looking to make it into the competition's final four by overcoming French outfit Lyon, the journalist feels the 13-cap Italy international could add much-needed strength in depth heading into the season's climax.

As a result, Moyes may look to rest Zouma or Dawson, who have regularly been at the heart of the east Londoners' defence in Ogbonna's absence.

O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "Moyes will need to freshen his squad up and maybe rest a few players. Having somebody like Ogbonna back available would give him an extra option."

Why would Ogbonna's return come as a huge boost?

Ogbonna has been on West Ham's books since then-boss Slaven Bilic persuaded owners David Sullivan and David Gold to part with £10million to acquire his services from Juventus in 2015.

The 33-year-old has since been a regular starter under the Croatian, Manuel Pellegrini and Moyes, highlighting how he has become a reliable figure in the Hammers' backline despite alterations in the dugout.

In total, Ogbonna has racked up 202 appearances for the east Londoners and also shown he can be a threat from set pieces by racking up 13 goals.