Cheik Kouyate has given David Moyes a big boost by returning returned to training and could feature in tomorrow night’s derby against Arsenal at the London Stadium.
The big midfelder has been struggling with a hamstring injury and missed the win over Chelsea at the weekend but manager David Moyes believes a quick return may well be on the cards.
Speaking at the pre-match presser he said: “Cheik has returned to training a little bit so we’re hoping to get him back quite quickly. Chicha and Andy were back on the bench, but Collins is not ready.
“We’re pretty much as we were, aside from Edi Fernandes hurting his ankle in training.”
It looks likely that Kouyate could be the only change with him possibly captain Mark Noble possibly making way although that would be a tough decision given the captain’s display at the weekend.
Adrian looks certain to stay between the sticks with the manager saying: ” “I’m sure Joe will give Adrian all the respect from his position.
“He’s good in the dressing room, he’s a good guy and his experience is important and he’ll play a lot of games for West Ham between now and the end of the season.”
“I hope Adrian keeps playing well, but there will be games for Joe. I’m really pleased I have two good goalkeepers. Joe is here and if I’m correct I don’t think his loan contract allows him to go back.
“My job is to pick the West Ham team and not the England team.”
If it is a hamstring injury I doubt he would risked from the start, I expect Carroll to feature at some point tomorrow because they hate playing against him, I wouldn’t be surprised actually if Antonio was a sub for Ayew, he left it all on the pitch the other day so maybe he will be an impact sub, whoever he picks am sure Moyes will make the right choices for the team, Hernandez must also nearly be ready for a start, with Mustafi out for the gooners that means only Koscielny left as a decent defender, they should be wide open for us if we can hold onto the ball, the bad news is Wilshere will be in for Ramsey and I still think the gooners will cause us more problems than Chelski did just because they like to attack through the middle like City do more often than not Chelski make their attacks around the edges of the box. I am sure Moyes will have a plan to disrupt them and whoever he picks I hope they will have the energy levels to turn it on under the lights COYI !!!