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West Ham want to keep David Moyes beyond this season.

The Hammers, set to hold their annual review in the summer, already believe Moyes is the man for the long term after his work at the London Stadium since being hired in November.

The Scot, who is on a contract until the end of the current campaign after succeeding the sacked Slaven Bilic, has taken West Ham out of the drop zone and up to 14th — five points clear of the dreaded dotted line, with a game in hand on four of the clubs below them.

The 54-year-old made it clear before Saturday's vital win over fellow relegation candidates Southampton that he does want to stay — but only if he keeps them up.

(Image: West Ham United FC via Getty)

(Image: West Ham United FC via Getty) (Image: West Ham United FC via Getty)

He has had to cope with the in-fighting between the fans and the board, a crippling injury list and frustration at failing to land his preferred transfer targets in January.

West Ham are particularly pleased with Moyes’ approach to discipline and the response from the players since his arrival.

Record summer signing Marko Arnautovic - who didn't net a single goal under Bilic following his £25million summer arrival from Stoke - has scored 10 in 17 Premier League games since Moyes took over.

England keeper Joe Hart has also responded positively to being dropped for Adrian, earning a recall against Burnley in the final game before the March international break and keeping his place for Saturday’s win over Saints.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: PA) (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Michail Antonio admitted Moyes had been right to drop him for January's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace after he was late to a pre-match team meeting.

Defender Angelo Ogbonna also admitted in February that Moyes had brought some much-needed discipline back to the squad.

Tellingly, Moyes has already scouted Hibernian's Scotland international John McGinn and is keen for Portugal international and fellow midfielder Joao Mario to make his January loan from Inter Milan permanent.

Moyes said last week: “I want a club I can move forward and I want a club which gives us every opportunity to do that.

“There’s no reason not to stay, but I want the club in the Premier League.

“It’s a big club, but I think it can get bigger. By having 60,000 people coming to the game, giving yourself that opportunity, you give yourself a real chance of attracting players – and obviously we’re in London.

“But I think people want to see that there’s a stability to the club as well in the way things are being done. So until I get a position we are in the Premier League then after that then let’s sit down and have the conversations. At the moment I’m trying to focus totally on staying in the league.”