Man City clues on way in Bilbao friendly

Manuel Pellegrini could present the key selections tomorrow which tell us how his first team will line-up against Manchester City next weekend.

After the 5-3 victory over Hertha Berlin the Hammers go into action against Atheltico Bilbao which is being billed as the prestige friendly of the close season.

It remains to be seen whether those who suffered slight niggles ahead of the last game – Fabianski, Fredericks, Noble and a slowly recovering Reid – will be involved with the opening Premier League game just a week away.

There may be little chance as the manager has made it clear he will take no chances whatsoever on any who may not feel they are 100 per cent.

Should all three be available, however, we will get a clear indication of that Man City team and should that be the case here is how I would expect us to line up for tomorrow’s match – and assuming no injuries – for the first game of the season:

Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku; Rice; Fornals, Wilshere, Anderson; Lanzini; Haller.

I have been impressed with Yarmolenko’s appearances so far, particualarly against Berlin and could possibly see him forcing his way in to the team.

Tomorrow will be interesting.