In a vital week – as will be every week between now and the end of May – West Ham entertain a resurgent Manchester United tomorrow night with just a three day turnaround from the Burnley victory. Whilst Manchester United are facing their own well – documented fitness issues, the Hammers coach made the point that West Ham do have their own injury ‘challenges’ (to use Graham Potter management-speak) after the weekend.
Speaking at the pre-fixture press conference, Nuno would not be drawn on specifics but delivered news which is concerning:
‘Unfortunately we are going to have some players out. It is what it is, but I’m not going to say who it is.”
Refusing to be drawn on the identities of those who won’t be available only increases speculation-and worry – that the absentees will be senior first team players. With a squad of just twenty three, the last thing West Ham need at present is one of their ‘match winners’ dropping out.
Doing the detective work from last weekend and looking at players who were taken off against Burnley might lift the lid on the most likely to have taken an injury: (thanks to the standard.co.uk):
“Callum Wilson, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Valentin Castellanos. Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville were all substituted in the second half at Turf Moor, but it remains to be seen if any are the players in question.”
However from the West Ham web site’s own summary of the conference, there’s perhaps a hint – an indication of one of those not affected and hopefully fit and raring to go:
“The next question is on Crysencio Summerville:
He’s doing great, but we always want more and we want consistency. He’s full of confidence, he’s scoring and assisting, our other forwards are playing well, and we need that to help the team.”
Which would suggest that West Ham’s in-form goal scorer, with five in five games is ‘doing great’: Until 6.45pm tomorrow night, however, it’ll be a bit of a guessing game both for us and for West Ham’s opponents.
Areola has a minor injury is known about.
Pablo looked to be limping.
I don’t think anything else was obvious.
I’m sure that you are right Martin that we have injury worries for tomorrow night – but I don’t think we could ever say that Nuno lifts the lid on anything – I don’t bother with his pre match pressers because I know that nothing will be revealed LOL
Reduced squad doesn’t accommodate injuries.
Something which should have been thought about before sending players out on loan.
What games have U21’s got coming up?