West Ham United’s mini injury crisis looks to be fading as good news comes out of the club regarding Emerson’s impact injury: As reported last night the scan reveals nothing too concerning so we hope the Brazilian will be back raring to go for the home derby, because the challenge faced by The Hammers just got bigger.
Our opponents have been going through their own modest injury trial ( When you have a team list of some forty-plus starlets can you ever really have a ‘crisis?’)- Several of Chelsea’s first team players have been out of action. But the news from Stamford bridge doesn’t make for comfortable reading for Hammers fans as we look to try and pick up points against Chelsea – historically not an easy task. Two wins and a draw for the Irons in the last five years is better than it used to be against the former Premier League champions but always they present a massive test.
The team news out of West London is good news for the blues, not so much for the Irons: According to EPLIndex.com, Chelsea’s midfielder Enzo Fernandez has recovered after illness and should be raring to go on Saturday. Similarly Romeo Lavia, last year’s £52 million recruit from Southampton, is back from a hamstring injury and defender Malo Gusto has also resumed training. Still unavailable, though, with a prolonged return from a hamstring injury, is Reece James.
Fullkrug will hopefully be back in contention for The Hammers
We’ll have to be on top form but as experience reminds me, West Ham often pull out their finest performances against the best teams. So actually, I’m really looking forward to Saturday lunchtime’s game, even though Chelsea are getting stronger with the return of some of their first team. West Ham should have Nic Fullkrug back available for selection and a much rested squad after no midweek game.