Midfielder may get last chance to impress against Saints

Joao Mario could land a near last chance to nail down a Hammers future on Saturday if the worst case scenario surrounding Manu Lanzini develops.

The club still hasn’t heard the outcome of the Argentine’s scan on the knock he received against Italy last week and so options remain open at this stage on team selection.

Should, and we all hope the opposite, he should be unavailable it looks likely that Mario will step into the role.

It is a game of the highest importance and a top performance from Mario should he be involved could start to change minds at the club.

He was very much a David Moyes ‘pick’ in the winter window and should he come good the manager may start to reassess the option.

However, should he get the chance a very big performance against Southampton will prove crucial whilst at the same time Cheik Kouyate is expected to recover from a bout of illness to play.

Possible team in Lanzini’s absence: Hart; Zaba, Ogbonna, Rice, Cresswell; Masuaku, Noble, Kouyate, Mario, Antonio, Arnautovic