Balbuena lets squad fitness cat out of the bag

Hammer Fabian Balbuena has not played for West Ham this year as his last game was a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on December 27th.

He missed his one chance of coming on when he suffered an injury in warm-up when he was called to come up for the injured  Angelo Ogbonna against Manchester United in the FA Cup. He felt something go in his calf muscle so was unable to take his chance.

Issa Diop came on instead but suffered an injury himself after a clash of heads and was replaced by Ryan Fredericks becoming the first concussion substitute in English football.  Diop quickly recovered from his knock to the head to be fit for the Sheffield United game and has started every game since alongside Craig Dawson and the pair have shown terrific form.

Balbuena insists he is fully fit but it is purely the manager’s decision to start Diop ahead of him adding that the full squad minus known long injuries are fit to play against Manchester City

Speaking to Radio Monumental, translated Sport Witness, he said: “I’m quite well. The team is in a good moment. It’s not my turn to play for various reasons, but physically I’m very well. The entire squad is fit to play. Our next opponent will be Manchester City.”