Former Newcastle United striker Callum Wison has not featured for West Ham under Nuno Espirito Santo(Image: SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images)

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo insists his decision not to field Callum Wilson in his first three games in charge of the club has nothing to do with any financial reasons.

The former Newcastle United striker has not played under the Portugese boss since he replaced Graham Potter at the London Stadium, despite an injury to frontman Niclas Fullkrug.

Wilson, 33, is on a pay-as-you-play deal at West Ham after he left Newcastle as a free agent last summer.

That has led to claims that he wasn't being used to save money, but Nuno was quick to reject that notion, insisting it is purely a footballing decision.

"Oh, please. Come on, eh?" he said when asked about Wilson's situation.

"Come on. I don't even know that. You think I'm this kind of person? Do I think that? No. Maybe if you knew me better, maybe we don't have to speak about that.

"It's nothing more than a decision. There's nothing there. This speculation...