Steve Bruce will be keen for January to come so that he can put his own stamp on his Aston Villa side.

The former Birmingham and Hull boss inherited a downbeat squad from Roberto di Matteo who were lacking in confidence.

This has been restored to a degree but Bruce will still be itching to get his own players in so that he can really turn things around at Villa Park and transform his Villa side from bottom half floaters to genuine promotion candidates.

January is an intriguing window because it gives fringe players the opportunity to find themselves a club where they will get more game time or make more of an impact than they are currently doing.

West Ham is one such club that might be willing to offload peripheral squad members either on loan or permanently for the right price.

Here are TWO Hammers that Steve Bruce could look to sign in January.

Ashley Fletcher

ashley-fletchermcx

Towering centre forward Ashley Fletcher is highly rated by West Ham fans, who have been calling for him to get more game time for the Hammers.

But with Andre Ayew returning from injury and strike duo Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll due back before the new year, the 21-year-old might have to seek a loan move.

Aston Villa would be the perfect destination for the England under-20 international to get some goals because he would get good service and provides a strong, quick, hardworking outlet up front.

 

Reece Oxford

Reece Oxford

West Ham prodigy Reece Oxford is clearly a fantastic talent but he is on the fringes of the first team at the London Stadium and Bilic would be wise to let him have a loan spell.

The 17-year-old is so close to breaking into the Hammers' starting XI but a six-month loan to the Championship would do him good and he is just what Aston Villa need.

The England under-20 international would definitely start at centre back for Villa and the 6'3'' teenager can also play in midfield.