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.
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.