West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is unlikely to launch Enner Valencia straight back into the action against Stoke City at the Boleyn today.
The Ecuador international – having had a shocking time with injuries since his arrival at the club – has returned from an ankle problem much earlier than expected.
But cautious Bilic has no record of throwing players back into action quickly after injury and one source explained: “Enner is more likely to get half an hour.
“It’s great that he has made such good progress and both Manu Lanzini and Dimi Payet are making faster than expected recoveries.
“We will be looking much better in a couple of weeks time and Alex Song is getting fitter and fitter. We have a tough game against Stoke. They are in very good form and we will need to be right on top of our form.”
Bubs, I can’t believe you want to play Jenks on the wing, you know we are at home and we have to score to win the game lol lol. Here is my team that I believe has the best chance of winning today. Adrian, Oxford, Tomks, Ogbanna, Cresswell, Song, Kouyate, Zarate, Valencia, Antonio, Carroll. I would move Tomks to CB, I would move Kouyate back beside Song and I would start Valencia, we don’t have the luxury to give him 30 mins. If he is fit he should start.
With Carroll,Antonio and Zarate ready to play up front or just 2 and play Jenkinson as a midfield / winger in front of Tomkinson Song or Obiang with Noble we can allow Kouyate freedom to join the front 2
Jelavic,Callum or Lee on the bench we have plenty of attacking options to give Enner another week as we are going to need him through the Xmas period,
Carroll and Zarate looked good togeather last week we just need some width from Antonio
Or the full backs,
Looks better than this time last year and we have the points in the bag,