West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, who is looking to strengthen his struggling squad with loan signings in the January transfer window with cash deals likely to be limited, has targeted the England Under 21 star. Loftus-Cheek, 20, has made only one league appearance, as a substitute, this season under new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. He signed a new contract in February tying him to the club until 2021.

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GETTY Chelsea are set to send Loftus-Cheek out on loan in January

“I'm sure that Ruben has great potential," he said earlier this week. "I think it's important to show this, to improve a lot on different aspects. Now he's in our squad. This season, he had a few injuries. "But now he's in good form and I count on him. "There will be a moment when I speak with my club and take the best decision, but I count on him because I think he has good potential."

GETTY West Ham are set to send Simone Zaza back to Juventus