Alese

David Moyes has a big decision to make on how seriously he will take to the FA Cup this season as injuries hit a squad.

We learned earlier today that Craig Dawson has been playing through the pain barrier after taking a knock in training and with three major defenders already sidelined the manager has more than enough issues with which to cope.

The match against Leeds this weekend represents an ideal opportunity to give several players a rest whilst incuding them on the bench but as was the case with the Carabao Cup we need to remain competitive as we bid to win something for the first time in 40 years

It seems certain however that the weekend match against Leeds will see the likes of Fab, Soucek, possibly Declan and Antonio rested and Bowen could be another, although he may be required up top.

Said Benrahma is of course away at the African Cup of Nations which will almost certainly ensure that Manu Lanzini plays and with either the likely to return Pablo Fornals, along with Nikola Vlasic, getting their chances.

We could again see one or two of the youngsters who impressed in the game against Dinamo Zagreb given opportunities seeing as we face a home match against Norwich City next Wednesday.

Here’s the team we may see in action: Areola; Fredericks, Alese, Baptiste, Johnson; Noble, Kral, Lanzini, Fornals; Vlasic, Bowen.