FORMER Saint Danny Ings insisted he will avoid “overthinking” facing old friends and supporters at West Ham's London Stadium this afternoon.

The 30 year old could lead the line for David Moyes’s Hammers as the Premier League returns from the international break, following a January move to the London club.

Ings, who played 100 games and scored 46 goals for Saints, departed for Aston Villa in August 2021 – having previously been offered a bumper contract to stay at St Mary’s.

The Winchester-born hitman scored for Villa against Saints at Villa Park last season but this January moved to West Ham in a deal worth over £10million.

Speaking with Sky Sports ahead of the meeting his former side, Ings insisted: "It's a massive game. A home game and we've been pretty good at home recently.

"It's going to be extremely difficult, both teams fighting for the points, it's vital. I spent a really good few years at Southampton, I've got great friends there, but I'm at West Ham now and that's where I need to give it everything.

“That's why I signed. Everyone knows that no matter where I am, what club I'm at, I'll always give it 100 per cent.”

He added: "I don't think it is difficult (to separate his hometown club and his current club) because I'm there to do a job for my team and that's exactly what I have to do. If you start overthinking things, you won't bring out your best abilities in that game.

"For me, I look at it as just another game and I've got to make sure I give my all for the team, whether I start or come from the bench, I have to try and help West Ham in any way I can."

Ings also revealed that his January move to West Ham was “a surprise” and that his agent probably knew of the move first.

Saints were interested in bringing Ings back to St Mary’s this season, with the suggestion informal contact was made by the club’s higher-ups - but no move ever materialised.