Moyes’ mega challenge for Lyon

West Ham boss David Moyes could be facing his biggest selection dilemma since he first took over and during his second coming.

As things look at the moment, there is a strong possibility that we could be going to Lyon without a natural left-back and a serious central defender and there doesn’t appear to be a proper replacement without using Arthur Masuaku.

Kurt Zouma was injured against Brentford and there is an anxious wait for the Hammers as they look to discover whether he is fit to play in Thursday’s second leg, a game in which the Irons need to win after the 1-1 draw in east London. Aaron Cresswell is suspended after his controversial sending off.

With Angelo Ogbonna also out, it means Moyes is essentially shackled to playing a back four, as there simply aren’t the numbers to play a back five.

It opens up the nightmare scenario of Issa Diop as the left-sided centre-back and Masuaku at left-back. Ben Johnson, after all, is said to have a tight hamstring, provided Moyesie isn’t again playing smoke and mirrors.

With those two in the team, and the back four potentially being deployed, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are likely to be set as anchors, looking after the backline.

That will limit the Irons’ attacking threat in a game they need to win. It is a huge problem for Moyes to solve.