Maiga missing from Europa League squad
Doneil Henry and Darren Randolph are absent because they signed pre-contracts to join West Ham on 1st July so were not eligible for inclusion in the Europa League A list 25 man squad which needed to be submitted by 23rd June.
Last week Henry told WHUFC.com he was ready to make up for lost time adding “Especially with the European competition this season, there will be a lot of games so everybody needs to get their fitness in and maintain it throughout the season. It’s going to be a long season and we’re going to need the full squad.”
Maybe the most notable absentee is Modibo Maiga although Claret and Hugh have since learned his loan with Metz doesn’t finish until tomorrow (30th June) so he could not technically be included in the squad either.
A West Ham insider updated us after we published the article early this morning telling us:
“Maiga’s loan with FC Metz does not expire until 30 June.As you correctly note, Darren Randolph and Stephen Hendrie will not technically sign for the club until 1 July.”
Just one week ago David Gold suggested Maiga would get a chance saying on twitter “Maiga is in the pre-season squad. It’s up to him and Slaven to decide what will happen. He will get his chance”
UEFA rules allow one addition player to be added to the squad up to 24 hours before kick off on Thursday so we may yet see Randolph, Henry or Payet included. West Ham will be able to submit a new squad list for the second qualifying round before the 11th July.