Match preview: Bilic says Sakho could face Reds

Slaven Bilic has revealed Diafra Sakho has a decent chance of making it into the team for the Premier League clash against Liverpool at the weekend.

With the striker’s chances rated only 50:50 earlier in the week, the Irons looked to be in desperate straits as the match approached.

But Bilic is relatively confident the player will be available for a game which has massive importance following two back-to-back home defeats.

With Modibo Maiga on his way to Saudi Arabia, and the club’s striker search continuing, Sakho looks pretty certain to be used in front of Dimitri Payet. And with Kevin Nolan now gone, Manuel Lanzini may also be involved, playing off the Senegal striker.

Bilic broke the news during his morning press conference, which has been reported on www.whufc.com, saying: “”He [Sakho] felt a stiffness in his adductors after Saturday’s game, and he trained individually, but we expect him [to be okay] because it is not something major. We are expecting him to train with us tomorrow and then to be in the squad for the game on Saturday.”

Sakho has of course is the subject of the police investigation and is currently on bail ‘pending enquiries’. And Bilic was naturally asked if he had any concerns about Sakho’s mental side?

“No,” said Bilic. “I am more concentrated on his physical side. I’ve spoken to the player of course, and he looks alright. If he is fit physically he will be in the squad because we need players in his positions.”