Sakho absence ‘explained!’

Diafra Sakho’s absence from the team against Sunderland today was this morning put down to “a knock in training” by a senior club insider.

As we reported earlier, the manager had claimed at his presser on Thursday that Sak should be fit for the trip to the north east today.

But the striker failed to make the squad and we were told when making the obvious inquiry this morning that he had taken a knock in training and that given his lack of match fitness no risk was being taken.

However, he insisted: “I absolutely promise you that he will be available for the match next week against Everton at the London Stadium.”

Knocks in training seem to be common currency at West Ham as a reason for a player’s non appearance – could it be the medical staff are continuing to pull the things on this one?

A simple statement would be enough if that is the case!