Slaven Bilic is likely to name the likely Irons first team when the lads step out for the clash against Werder Bremen tomorrow afternoon.
Thus far of course he has rung the changes to get everybody up to full fitness but with only the FC Astra game to come between now and the start of the season, tomorrow is a key day for the manager.
Carl Jenkinson is set to get his first 90 minutes although he is not going to feature against Arsenal under the terms of his loan next Sunday. Manuel Lanzini, too, is likely to get a run-out.
‘Slav’ has already made it clear he has a tough decision to make about the Thursday night line up as the Premier League is our No 1 priority so expect a very strong team tomorrow.
This is his last opportunity for the front eleven to bond with each other ahead of the match at the Emirates.
With Winston Reid and Pedro Obiang on the injured list we expect to see the team line up something like this:
Adrian, Jenkinson, Ogbonna, Tomkins, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate, Lanzini, Payet, Sakho, Zarate
Gonna need a few more signings quick, with these injuries. At least 1 Striker, 1 utility Full Back, 1 centre Half and a bucket full of magic sponges.
If that is the line up I reckon it may well be 45 minutes only.
Henry needs at least 45 mins as he will have to play on Thursday and whoever is expected to play against Arsenal at right back will need game time. Not sure Burke can be expected to play there after only a couple of appearances but would still rather have him there than O’Brien.
The other squad players need game time too.
We should be playing our best team in the next 2 fixtures as we need them to gel quickly and not just in this fixture then against Arsenal