Cheik Kouyate looks likely to return to return for tomorrow’s clash with with Newcastle United at London Stadium but Michail Antonio is racing against time as he bids to shake off the effects of a calf injury.
Kouyate has missed the Hammers’ last three games because of a hamstring injury suffered at Manchester City.
His return would cover the loss of Mark Noble misses the game with his own hamstring problem.
Antonio returned to training today (Fri) with manager David Moyes explaining: “We have a doubt with Michail Antonio, who couldn’t play in the Carabao Cup tie at Arsenal in midweek as he had a bit of a calf injury. That gives us a question mark about him.
“Cheik Kouyate has trained this week, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be available again.
“After that, I think the big one is that Mark Noble won’t be available for the weekend as he has a bit of a hamstring.
Word is that Diafra Sakho will start up front with Winston Reid, James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell competing for places at the back.
With Lanzini and Antonio out, Sakho and Hernandez would be my pick up top with Arnie playing in behind in Lanzini’s position, would be very aggressive formation but if Newcastle start poorly and we are very aggressive it could work it would certainly give us a lot of the pace we have been missing. There are a lot of options against Newcastle, Ayew might be a straight swap for Antonio even though they play differently. I don’t care who he picks tbh so long as we get 3 points COYI !!!
Can’t see Hernandez standing for this for much longer if he doesn’t start
Agree if Antonio can’t play I would put Sahko & Chicharito up front with Arnie being them in same 3-5-2 w have been playing.
2 strikers suits Chic & he is still our top scorer in the PL & showed in 10m at Stoke & Arsenal League game what he can offer. But he needs service which didn’t have in Cup game.
Sahko is most rounded CF Chic is a world class finsher & needs to be getting match fit & starting bc in front 2 w service he will score.
Agreed.Surely Hernandez and Arnoutovic up top,Been playing on the break in this mini revival and its time to put Newcastle to the sword at home to show we have an alternative game plan.