West Ham travel to Walsall against Villa for their next pre-season friendly tomorrow (Wed) with several players looking for a first run-out under the new boss.
And the travelling fans will be hoping to get a look at the club’s record signing Felipe Anderson who could take his place in the midfield as the Hammers build-up starts to get serious.
Michail Antonio is fit and in training so he’s another that the manager will presumably want to take a look at following his recovery from injury.
Lukasz Fabianski is set to get a spell between the sticks after arriving at training on Monday and Aaron Cresswell is being given a chance of making it.
We would expect to see Angelo Ogbonna back at central defence probably with new signing Issa Diop and it will be interesting to see whether the manager tries a widely expected tactical move of playing Declan Rice in front of the back four.
Chicharito and Cheik Kouyate – who were expected back on Monday – are now not due at Rush Green on Thursday and are thus set to miss the game.
Possible line-up: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell: Anderson, Noble, Obiang , Wilshere; Antonio, Arnautovic.
Have I missed something? Why is Chicharito not expected on Thurs?
No but we might have done. LOL
Just want to point out that the game is at the Banks Stadium in Walsall and not at Villa Park
Thanks Crewe. Our mistake